Integrated hot and cold storage systems linked to heat pump

ABSTRACT

A control module for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system includes a housing having an air flow conduit formed therein. An evaporator core is disposed in the air flow conduit, wherein at least a portion of the evaporator is configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source therein. An internal thermal energy exchanger is disposed in the air flow conduit downstream of at least a portion of the evaporator core and upstream of a blend door disposed in the air flow conduit. The internal thermal energy exchanger is configured to receive a second fluid from a second fluid source and a third fluid from a third fluid source, wherein the second fluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of air through the air flow conduit and the third fluid releases thermal energy from the flow of air through the air flow conduit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a climate control system for a vehicle and moreparticularly to a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system of avehicle having a thermal energy storage system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A vehicle typically includes a climate control system which maintains atemperature within a passenger compartment of the vehicle at acomfortable level by providing heating, cooling, and ventilation.Comfort is maintained in the passenger compartment by an integratedmechanism referred to in the art as a heating, ventilating and airconditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system conditions air flowingtherethrough and distributes the conditioned air throughout thepassenger compartment.

Typically, a compressor of a refrigeration system provides a flow of afluid having a desired temperature to an evaporator disposed in the HVACsystem to condition the air. The compressor is generally driven by afuel-powered engine of the vehicle. However, in recent years, vehicleshaving improved fuel economy over the fuel-powered engine and othervehicles are quickly becoming more popular as a cost of traditional fuelincreases. The improved fuel economy is due to known technologies suchas regenerative braking, electric motor assist, and engine-offoperation. Although the technologies improve fuel economy, accessoriespowered by the fuel-powered engine no longer operate when thefuel-powered engine is not in operation. One major accessory that doesnot operate is the compressor of the refrigeration system. Therefore,without the use of the compressor, the evaporator disposed in the HVACsystem does not condition the air flowing therethrough and thetemperature of the passenger compartment increases to a point above adesired temperature.

Accordingly, vehicle manufacturers have used a thermal energy exchangerdisposed in the HVAC system to condition the air flowing therethroughwhen the fuel-powered engine is not in operation. One such thermalenergy exchanger, also referred to as a cold accumulator, is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,513 entitled VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WITHCOLD ACCUMULATOR, hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The cold accumulator includes a phase change material, alsoreferred to as a cold accumulating material, disposed therein. The coldaccumulating material absorbs heat from the air when the fuel-poweredengine is not in operation. The cold accumulating material is thenrecharged by the conditioned air flowing from the cooling heat exchangerwhen the fuel-powered engine is in operation.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,527 entitled AIR-CONDITIONER FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE,hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, a thermalenergy exchanger is disclosed having a phase change material disposedtherein. The phase change material of the thermal energy exchangerconditions a flow of air through the HVAC system when the fuel-poweredengine of the vehicle is not in operation. The phase change material ischarged by a flow of a fluid from the refrigeration system therethrough.

While the prior art HVAC systems perform adequately, it is desirable toproduce a thermal energy storage system for an HVAC system, wherein aneffectiveness and efficiency thereof are maximized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In concordance and agreement with the present invention, a thermalenergy storage system for an HVAC system, wherein an effectiveness andefficiency thereof are maximized, has surprisingly been discovered.

In one embodiment, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)system for a vehicle, comprises: a control module including a housinghaving an air flow conduit formed therein, the air flow conduit in fluidcommunication with a passenger compartment of the vehicle; an evaporatorcore disposed in the air flow conduit, at least a portion of theevaporator core configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluidsource; and a thermal energy exchanger disposed in the air flow conduitdownstream of the at least a portion the evaporator core, the thermalenergy exchanger configured to receive a second fluid from a secondfluid source and a third fluid from a third fluid source, wherein thefirst fluid and the second fluid are different fluid types, and whereinthe second fluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of air through theair flow conduit and the third fluid releases thermal energy to the flowof air through the air flow conduit.

In another embodiment, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning(HVAC) system for a vehicle, comprises: a control module including ahousing having an air flow conduit formed therein, the air flow conduitin fluid communication with a passenger compartment of the vehicle; andan evaporator core having a plurality of layers disposed in the air flowconduit, wherein at least one of the layers is configured to receive afirst fluid from a first fluid source therein, and at least another oneof the layers is configured to receive a second fluid from a secondfluid source and a third fluid from a third fluid source, wherein thefirst fluid and the second fluid are different fluid types, and whereinthe second fluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of air through theair flow conduit and the third fluid releases thermal energy to the flowof air through the air flow conduit.

In yet another embodiment, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning(HVAC) system of a vehicle, comprises: a control module including ahousing having an air flow conduit formed therein; an evaporator coredisposed in the air flow conduit, the evaporator core configured toreceive a first fluid from a first fluid source therein; a thermalenergy exchanger disposed in the air flow conduit, the thermal energyexchanger configured to receive a second fluid from a second fluidsource and a third fluid from a third fluid source therein, wherein thefirst fluid and the second fluid are different fluid types, and whereinthe second fluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of air through theair flow conduit and the third fluid releases thermal energy to the flowof air through the air flow conduit; and a condenser disposed in the airflow conduit downstream of the thermal energy exchanger, wherein thecondenser is configured to receive a working fluid from a heat pumpsystem of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention,will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from readingthe following detailed description of various embodiments of theinvention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of an HVAC system including afragmentary sectional view of an HVAC module having an evaporator core,an internal thermal energy exchanger, and a heater core disposed thereinaccording to an embodiment of the invention and showing the evaporatorcore in fluid communication with a first fluid source and the internalthermal energy exchanger in fluid communication with a second fluidsource, a third fluid source, and a fourth fluid source;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the evaporator coreillustrated in FIG. 1 showing a portion of two layers of the evaporatorcore cutaway;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of an HVAC system including afragmentary sectional view of an HVAC module having an evaporator core,an internal thermal energy exchanger, and a heater core disposed thereinaccording to another embodiment of the invention and showing theevaporator core in fluid communication with a first fluid source and theinternal thermal energy exchanger in fluid communication with a secondfluid source, a third fluid source, a fourth fluid source, and a fifthfluid source;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of an HVAC system including afragmentary sectional view of an HVAC module having an evaporator core,an internal thermal energy exchanger, and a heater core disposed thereinaccording to another embodiment of the invention and showing theevaporator core in fluid communication with a first fluid source, theinternal thermal energy exchanger in fluid communication with a secondfluid source, a third fluid source, and a fourth fluid source, whereinthe fourth fluid source and the heater core are in fluid communicationwith an external thermal energy exchanger; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of an HVAC system including afragmentary sectional view of an HVAC module having an evaporator core,an internal thermal energy exchanger, and a heater core disposed thereinaccording to another embodiment of the invention and showing theevaporator core in fluid communication with a first fluid source, theinternal thermal energy exchanger in fluid communication with a secondfluid source, a third fluid source, a fourth fluid source, and a fifthfluid source, wherein the fourth fluid source and the heater core are influid communication with an external thermal energy exchanger; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of an HVAC system including afragmentary sectional view of an HVAC module having an evaporator core,an internal thermal energy exchanger, and a condenser of a heat pumpsystem disposed therein according to another embodiment of the inventionand showing the evaporator core in fluid communication with a firstfluid source and the internal thermal energy exchanger in fluidcommunication with a second fluid source, a third fluid source, and afourth fluid source, wherein the condenser is in thermal energy exchangerelationship with the fourth fluid source in a chiller of the heat pumpsystem; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram of an HVAC system including afragmentary sectional view of an HVAC module having an evaporator core,an internal thermal energy exchanger, and a condenser of a heat pumpsystem disposed therein according to another embodiment of the inventionand showing the evaporator core in fluid communication with a firstfluid source and the internal thermal energy exchanger in fluidcommunication with a second fluid source, a third fluid source, a fourthfluid source, and a fifth fluid source, wherein the condenser is inthermal energy exchange relationship with the fourth fluid source in achiller of the heat pump system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to makeand use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any manner.

FIG. 1 shows a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The HVAC system 10typically provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for apassenger compartment of a vehicle (not shown). The HVAC system 10includes a control module 12 to control at least a temperature of thepassenger compartment.

The module 12 illustrated includes a hollow main housing 14 with an airflow conduit 15 formed therein. The housing 14 includes an inlet section16, a mixing and conditioning section 18, and an outlet and distributionsection (not shown). In the embodiment shown, an air inlet 22 is formedin the inlet section 16. The air inlet 22 is in fluid communication witha supply of air (not shown). The supply of air can be provided fromoutside of the vehicle, recirculated from the passenger compartment ofthe vehicle, or a mixture of the two, for example. The inlet section 16is adapted to receive a blower wheel (not shown) therein to cause air toflow through the air inlet 22. A filter (not shown) can be providedupstream, in, or downstream of the inlet section 16 in respect of adirection of flow through the module 12 if desired.

The mixing and conditioning section 18 of the housing 14 is configuredto receive an evaporator core 24 and a heater core 28 therein. As shown,at least a portion of the mixing and conditioning section 18 is dividedinto a first passage 30 and a second passage 32. In particularembodiments, the evaporator core 24 is disposed upstream of aselectively positionable blend door 34 in respect of the direction offlow through the module 12 and the heater core 28 is disposed in thesecond passage 32 downstream of the blend door 34 in respect of thedirection of flow through the module 12. A filter (not shown) can alsobe provided upstream of the evaporator core 24 in respect of thedirection of flow through the module 12, if desired.

The evaporator core 24 of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1-2, isa multi-layer louvered-fin thermal energy exchanger. In a non-limitingexample, the evaporator core 24 has a first layer 40, a second layer 42,and a third layer 44 arranged substantially perpendicular to thedirection of flow through the module 12. Additional or fewer layers thanshown can be employed as desired. The layers 40, 42, 44 are arranged sothe second layer 42 is disposed downstream of the first layer 40 andupstream of the third layer 44 in respect of the direction of flowthrough the module 12. It is understood, however, that the layers 40,42, 44 can be arranged as desired. The layers 40, 42, 44 can be bondedtogether by any suitable method as desired such as brazing and welding,for example.

Each of the layers 40, 42, 44 of the evaporator core 24 includes anupper first fluid manifold 46, 48, 50 and a lower second fluid manifold52, 54, 56, respectively. A plurality of first tubes 58 extends betweenthe fluid manifolds 46, 52 of the first layer 40. A plurality of secondtubes 60 extends between the fluid manifolds 48, 54 of the second layer42. A plurality of third tubes 62 extends between the fluid manifolds50, 56 of the third layer 44. In particular embodiments, each of thefirst upper fluid manifolds 46, 48, 50 is an inlet manifold whichdistributes the fluid into at least a portion of the respective tubes58, 60, 62 and each of the second lower fluid manifolds 52, 54, 56 is anoutlet manifold which collects the fluid from at least a portion of therespective tubes 58, 60, 62.

Each of the tubes 58, 60, 62 is provided with louvered fins 64 disposedtherebetween. The fins 64 abut an outer surface of the tubes 58, 60, 62for enhancing thermal energy transfer of the evaporator core 24. Each ofthe fins 64 defines an air space 68 extending between the tubes 58, 60,62. The tubes 58, 60, 62 of the evaporator core 24 can further include aplurality of internal fins (not shown) formed on an inner surfacethereof. The internal fins further enhance the transfer of thermalenergy of the evaporator core 24. It is understood, however, that theevaporator core 24 can be constructed as a finless thermal energyexchanger if desired.

In a particular embodiment, the layers 40, 42 of the evaporator core 24,shown in FIG. 1, are in fluid communication with a first fluid source 70via a conduit 72. It is understood, however, that any of the layers 40,42, 44, alone or in combination, may be in fluid communication with thefirst fluid source 70 via the conduit 72 and configured to receive theflow of the first fluid therein. The first fluid source 70 includes aprime mover 74 such as a pump or a compressor, for example, to cause afirst fluid to circulate therein. Each of the layers 40, 42 shown isconfigured to receive a flow of the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70 therein. The first fluid absorbs thermal energy to conditionthe air flowing through the module 12 when a fuel-powered engine of thevehicle, and thereby the prime mover 74, is in operation. As anon-limiting example, the first fluid source 70 is a refrigerationcircuit, and the first fluid is a refrigerant such as R134a, HFO-1234yf,AC-5, AC-6, and CO₂, for example. A valve 76 can be disposed in theconduit 72 to selectively militate against the flow of the first fluidtherethrough.

The HVAC system 10 of the present invention further includes an internalthermal energy exchanger 78 in fluid communication with a second fluidsource 80 via a conduit 82. The second fluid source 80 includes a primemover 84 (e.g. an electrical pump) to cause a second fluid to circulatethrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. As illustrated, theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78 is the third layer 44 of theevaporator core 24. It is understood, however, that the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78 may be any of the layers 42, 44 of the evaporatorcore 24, alone or in combination, in fluid communication with the secondfluid source 80 via the conduit 82 and configured to receive the flow ofthe second fluid from the second fluid source 80 therein. In anotherparticular embodiment, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78 is aseparate thermal energy exchanger disposed downstream and spaced apartfrom the evaporator core 24 and upstream of the blend door 34. It isunderstood that the internal thermal energy exchanger 78 can be anyconventional thermal energy exchanger as desired.

The second fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to cool the airflowing through the module 12. A valve 86 can be disposed in the conduit82 to selectively militate against the flow of the second fluidtherethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80 is afluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM) therein. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the phase change material can beany suitable material that melts and solidifies at predeterminedtemperatures and is capable of storing and releasing thermal energy suchas organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids (e.g. a paraffin, aparaffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, a glycol), and the like,or any combination thereof, for example. The phase change material canalso be impregnated with a thermally conductive material such asgraphite powder, for example, to further enhance the transfer of thermalenergy. As another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80 is afluid reservoir containing a coolant therein. As another non-limitingexample, the second fluid source 80 is a fluid reservoir containing aphase change material coolant such as CryoSolplus, for example, therein.As yet another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80 is anexternal thermal energy exchanger (e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger,a chiller, etc.) in fluid communication with at least one other systemof the vehicle. It is understood that the external thermal energyexchanger may include a phase change material disposed therein ifdesired.

The internal thermal energy exchanger 78 is also in fluid communicationwith a third fluid source 88 via a conduit 89 and configured to receivethe flow of a third fluid from the third fluid source 88 therein. Thethird fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to cool the air flowingthrough the module 12. A valve 90 can be disposed in the conduit 89 toselectively militate against the flow of the third fluid therethrough.As a non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88 is a fluidreservoir containing a phase change material (PCM) therein. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the phase change material can beany suitable material that melts and solidifies at predeterminedtemperatures and is capable of storing and releasing thermal energy suchas organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids (e.g. a paraffin, aparaffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, a glycol), and the like,or any combination thereof, for example. The phase change material canalso be impregnated with a thermally conductive material such asgraphite powder, for example, to further enhance the transfer of thermalenergy. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88 is afluid reservoir containing a coolant therein. As another non-limitingexample, the third fluid source 88 is a fluid reservoir containing aphase change material coolant such as CryoSolplus, for example, therein.As yet another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 90 is anexternal thermal energy exchanger (e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger,a chiller, etc.) in fluid communication with at least one other systemof the vehicle. It is understood that the external thermal energyexchanger may include a phase change material disposed therein ifdesired.

As shown, the heater core 28 is in fluid communication with a fourthfluid source 91 via a conduit 92. The heater core 28 is configured toreceive a flow of a fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91therein. The fourth fluid source 91 can be any conventional source ofheated fluid such as the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle, forexample, and the fourth fluid can be any fluid such as a phase changematerial, a coolant, and a phase change material coolant, for example. Avalve 93 can be disposed in the conduit 92 to selectively militateagainst the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough. The heater core 28 isconfigured to facilitate a release of thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat the air flowing therethrough when the fuel-powered engineof the vehicle is in operation.

In certain embodiments, the heater core 28 and the fourth fluid source91 are in fluid communication with the third fluid source 88 via aconduit 94. The fourth fluid releases thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat or charge the phase change material contained in the thirdfluid source 88. A valve 95 can be disposed in the conduit 94 toselectively militate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough.

The heater core 28 and the fourth fluid source 91 are also in fluidcommunication with the internal thermal energy exchanger 78 via bypassconduits 96, 97. The internal thermal energy exchanger 78 is configuredto facilitate a release of thermal energy from the fourth fluid to heatthe air flowing therethrough. Accordingly, a size and capacity of theheater core 28 may be decreased, which may cause a decrease in air sidepressure drop during heating modes of the HVAC system 10, as well as anincrease in available package space within the control module 12. Valves98, 99 can be disposed in the respective conduits 96, 97 to selectivelymilitate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough. As anon-limiting example, the second fluid from the second fluid source 80,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88, and the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91 are the same fluid types. It isunderstood, however, that the second fluid from the second fluid source80, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88, and the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91 may be different fluid types if desired.

In operation, the HVAC system 10 conditions air by heating or coolingthe air, and providing the conditioned air to the passenger compartmentof the vehicle. Air from the supply of air is received in housing 14 andflows through the module 12.

In a cooling mode or an engine-off cooling mode of the HVAC system 10,the blend door 34 is positioned in one of a first position permittingair from the evaporator core 24 and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78 to only flow into the first passage 30, a second positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24 and the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78 to only flow into the second passage 32, and anintermediate position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24 andthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78 to flow through both the firstpassage 30 and the second passage 32. In a heating mode or an engine-offheating mode of the HVAC system 10, the blend door 34 is positionedeither in the second position permitting the air from the evaporatorcore 24 and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78 to only flow intothe second passage 32 and through the heater core 28 or in theintermediate position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24 andthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78 to flow through the firstpassage 30 and the second passage 32 and through the heater core 28. Ina thermal energy charge mode or a recirculation heating mode of the HVACsystem 10, the blend door 34 is positioned in one of the first positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24 and the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78 to only flow into the first passage 30, the secondposition permitting the air from the evaporator core 24 and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78 to only flow into the second passage 32, andthe intermediate position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78 to flow through both thefirst passage 30 and/or the second passage 32.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10 is in either the cooling mode or the cold thermal energycharge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70 circulatesthrough the conduit 72 to the layers 40, 42 of the evaporator core 24.Additionally, the second fluid from the second fluid source 80circulates through the conduit 82 to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78 (e.g. the third layer 44 of the evaporator core 24).However, the valve 90 is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88 through the conduit 89 tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78 and the valves 93, 95, 98, 99are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91 through the respective conduits 92, 94, 96,97 to the heater core 28, the third fluid source 88, and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section16 flows into the evaporator core 24 where the air is cooled to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the air to thefirst fluid from the first fluid source 70. The conditioned air thenflows from the evaporator core 24 to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78. As the conditioned air flows through the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78, the conditioned air absorbs thermal energy from thesecond fluid. The transfer of thermal energy from the second fluid tothe conditioned air cools the second fluid. The second fluid then flowsto the second fluid source 80 and absorbs thermal energy to cool orcharge the phase change material, the coolant, the phase change materialcoolant, or any combination thereof contained in the second fluid source80. The conditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger78 and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34 to flow through thefirst passage 30 and/or the second passage 32. It is understood,however, that in other embodiments the valve 93 is open, permitting thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91 to circulate through theconduit 92 to the heater core 28, and thereby demist the conditioned airflowing through the second passage 32.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10 is operating in thecooling mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70 circulatesthrough the conduit 72 to the layers 40, 42 of the evaporator core 24.However, the valve 86 is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe second fluid from the second fluid source 80 through the conduit 82to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. Additionally, the valve 90is closed to militate against the circulation of the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88 through the conduit 89 to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78 and the valves 93, 95, 98, 99 are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91 through the respective conduits 92, 94, 96, 97 to the heater core 28,the third fluid source 88, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16 flows into the evaporatorcore 24 where the air is cooled to a desired temperature by a transferof thermal energy from the air to the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70. The conditioned air then flows from the evaporator core 24 tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78. As the conditioned air flowsthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78, the temperature of theconditioned air is relatively unaffected. The conditioned air then exitsthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78 and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34 to flow through the first passage 30 and/or the secondpassage 32. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments thevalve 93 is open, permitting the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91 to circulate through the conduit 92 to the heater core 28, andthereby demist the conditioned air flowing through the second passage32.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is not in operation and theHVAC system 10 is in the engine-off cooling mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70 does not circulate through the conduit 72 tothe layers 40, 42 of the evaporator core 24. However, the second fluidfrom the second fluid source 80 circulates through the conduit 82 to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78. Additionally, the valve 90 isclosed to militate against the circulation of the third fluid from thethird fluid source 88 through the conduit 89 to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78 and the valves 93, 95, 98, 99 are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91 through the respective conduits 92, 94, 96, 97 to the heater core 28,the third fluid source 88, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16 flows through theevaporator core 24 where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24 to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78, the air is cooled to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the air to the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80. The conditioned air then exitsthe thermal energy exchanger 78 and is selectively permitted by theblend door 34 to flow through the first passage 30 and/or the secondpassage 32.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10 is in the heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70 does not circulate through the conduit 72 to the layers 40, 42of the evaporator core 24. Similarly, the valve 86 is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80 through the conduit 82 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78,the valve 90 is closed to militate against the circulation of the thirdfluid from the third fluid source 88 through the conduit 89 to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78, and the valves 95, 98, 99 areclosed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91 through the respective conduits 94, 96, 97 to thethird fluid source 88 and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91 circulatesthrough the conduit 92 to the heater core 28. Accordingly, the air fromthe inlet section 16 flows through the evaporator core 24 and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78 where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The unconditioned air then exits the evaporatorcore 24 and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78 and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34 to flow through the first passage 30and/or the second passage 32 through the heater core 28 to be heated toa desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10 is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70 does not circulatethrough the conduit 72 to the layers 40, 42 of the evaporator core 24.Similarly, the valve 86 is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe second fluid from the second fluid source 80 through the conduit 82to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. However, the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88 circulates through the conduit 89 to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78. Additionally, the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91 circulates through the conduit 92 to theheater core 28. However, the valves 95, 98, 99 are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91 through the respective conduits 94, 96, 97 to the third fluid source88 and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. Accordingly, the airfrom the inlet section 16 flows through the evaporator core 24 where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78, the airis heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88 to the air flowingthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. The conditioned airthen exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78 and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34 to flow through the first passage 30and/or the second passage 32 through the heater core 28 to be furtherheated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10 is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70 does not circulatethrough the conduit 72 to the layers 40, 42 of the evaporator core 24.Similarly, the valve 86 is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe second fluid from the second fluid source 80 through the conduit 82to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78, the valve 90 is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the third fluid from the third fluidsource 88 through the conduit 89 to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78, and the valve 95 is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91 to thethird fluid source 88. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91 circulates through the respective conduits 96, 97 to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78 and through the conduit 92 to theheater core 28. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16 flowsthrough the evaporator core 24 where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24 tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91 to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78. The conditioned air then exits the internalthermal energy exchanger 78 and is selectively permitted by the blenddoor 34 to flow through the first passage 30 and/or the second passage32 through the heater core 28 to be further heated to a desiredtemperature.

In yet other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10 is in either the heatingmode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70 does not circulate through the conduit 72 to thelayers 40, 42 of the evaporator core 24. Similarly, the valve 86 isclosed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80 through the conduit 82 to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78 and the valves 98, 99 are closed to militate againstthe circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91through the respective conduits 96, 97 to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91circulates through the conduit 94 to the third fluid source 88, andthrough the conduit 89 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91circulates through the conduit 92 to the heater core 28. The fourthfluid mixes with the third fluid before, in, or after flowing throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16 flows through the evaporator core 24 where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78, the airis heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe mixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid to the air flowingthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78. The mixture of thethird fluid and the fourth fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88and the fourth fluid source 91. In the third fluid source 88, themixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid releases thermal energyto heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant, the phasechange material coolant, or any combination thereof contained in thethird fluid source 88. The conditioned air then exits the internalthermal energy exchanger 78 and is selectively permitted by the blenddoor 34 to flow through the first passage 30 and/or the second passage32 through the heater core 28 to be further heated to a desiredtemperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10 is in the engine-offheating mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70 does notcirculate through the conduit 72 to the layers 40, 42 of the evaporatorcore 24. Similarly, the valve 86 is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80 throughthe conduit 82 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.Additionally, the valves 93, 95, 98, 99 are closed to militate againstthe circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91through the respective conduits 92, 94, 96, 97 to the heater core 28,the third fluid source 88, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88 circulatesthrough the conduit 89 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16 flows through theevaporator core 24 where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24 to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88 to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78. The conditioned air then exits the internalthermal energy exchanger 78 and is selectively permitted by the blenddoor 34 to flow through the first passage 30 and/or the second passage32.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10 is in either the recirculation heating mode or another hotthermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70 does not circulate through the conduit 72 to the layers 40, 42 of theevaporator core 24. Similarly, the valve 86 is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80 through the conduit 82 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.Additionally, the valves 93, 95, 98, 99 are closed to militate againstthe circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91through the respective conduits 92, 94, 96, 97 to the heater core 28,the third fluid source 88, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88 circulatesthrough the conduit 89 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78.Accordingly, a re-circulated air from a passenger compartment of thevehicle flow through the inlet section 16 and into the evaporator core24 where a temperature of the air is relatively unaffected. There-circulated air then flows from the evaporator core 24 to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78. As the air flows through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78, the re-circulated air transfers thermalenergy to the third fluid to heat the third fluid. The third fluid thenflows to the third fluid source 88 and releases thermal energy to heator charge the phase change material, the coolant, the phase changematerial coolant, or any combination thereof contained in the thirdfluid source 88. The re-circulated air then exits the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78 and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34 toflow through the first passage 30 and/or the second passage 32.

FIG. 3 shows another an alternative embodiment of the HVAC system 10illustrated in FIG. 1. Structure similar to that illustrated in FIGS.1-2 includes the same reference numeral and a prime (′) symbol forclarity. In FIG. 3, the HVAC system 10′ is substantially similar to theHVAC system 10, except the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ is influid communication with the second fluid source 80′, the third fluidsource 88′, the fourth fluid source 91′, and a fifth fluid source 102.

The evaporator core 24′ of the present invention, shown in FIG. 3, is amulti-layer louvered-fin thermal energy exchanger. In a non-limitingexample, the evaporator core 24′ has a first layer 40′, a second layer42′, and a third layer 44′ arranged substantially perpendicular to thedirection of flow through a module 12′. Additional or fewer layers thanshown can be employed as desired. The layers 40′, 42′, 44′ are arrangedso the second layer 42′ is disposed downstream of the first layer 40′and upstream of the third layer 44′ in respect of the direction of flowthrough the module 12′. It is understood, however, that the layers 40′,42′, 44′ can be arranged as desired. The layers 40′, 42′, 44′ can bebonded together by any suitable method as desired such as brazing andwelding, for example.

The layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core 24′, shown in FIG. 3, are influid communication with a first fluid source 70′ via a conduit 72′. Itis understood, however, that any of the layers 40′, 42′, 44′, alone orin combination, may be in fluid communication with the first fluidsource 70′ via the conduit 72′ and configured to receive the flow of thefirst fluid therein. The first fluid source 70′ includes a prime mover74′ such as a pump or a compressor, for example, to cause a first fluidto circulate therein. Each of the layers 40′, 42′ shown is configured toreceive a flow of the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′therein. The first fluid absorbs thermal energy to condition the airflowing through the module 12′ when a fuel-powered engine of thevehicle, and thereby the prime mover 74′, is in operation. As anon-limiting example, the first fluid source 70′ is a refrigerationcircuit, and the first fluid is a refrigerant such as R134a, HFO-1234yf,AC-5, AC-6, and CO₂, for example. A valve 76′ can be disposed in theconduit 72′ to selectively militate against the flow of the first fluidtherethrough.

The HVAC system 10′ of the present invention further includes aninternal thermal energy exchanger 78′ in fluid communication with asecond fluid source 80′ via a conduit 82′. The second fluid source 80′includes a prime mover 84′ (e.g. an electrical pump) to cause a secondfluid to circulate through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Asillustrated, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ is the thirdlayer 44′ of the evaporator core 24′. It is understood, however, thatthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ may be any of the layers 42′,44′ of the evaporator core 24′, alone or in combination, in fluidcommunication with the second fluid source 80′ via the conduit 82′ andconfigured to receive the flow of the second fluid from the second fluidsource 80′ therein. In another particular embodiment, the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′ is a separate thermal energy exchangerdisposed downstream and spaced apart from the evaporator core 24′ andupstream of the blend door 34′. It is understood that the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′ can be any conventional thermal energyexchanger as desired.

The second fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to condition the airflowing through the module 12′. A valve 86′ can be disposed in theconduit 82′ to selectively militate against the flow of the second fluidtherethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80′ isa fluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM) therein.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the phase change materialcan be any suitable material that melts and solidifies at predeterminedtemperatures and is capable of storing and releasing thermal energy suchas organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids (e.g. a paraffin, aparaffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, a glycol), and the like,or any combination thereof, for example. The phase change material canalso be impregnated with a thermally conductive material such asgraphite powder, for example, to further enhance the transfer of thermalenergy. As another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80′ isa fluid reservoir containing a coolant therein. As another non-limitingexample, the second fluid source 80′ is a fluid reservoir containing aphase change material coolant such as CryoSolplus, for example, therein.As yet another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80′ is anexternal thermal energy exchanger (e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger,a chiller, etc.) in fluid communication with at least one other systemof the vehicle. It is understood that the external thermal energyexchanger may include a phase change material disposed therein ifdesired.

The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ is also in fluid communicationwith a third fluid source 88′ via a conduit 89′ and configured toreceive the flow of a third fluid from the third fluid source 88′therein. The third fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to cool theair flowing through the module 12′. A valve 90′ can be disposed in theconduit 89′ to selectively militate against the flow of the third fluidtherethrough. As a non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88′ is afluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM) therein. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the phase change material can beany suitable material that melts and solidifies at predeterminedtemperatures and is capable of storing and releasing thermal energy suchas organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids (e.g. a paraffin, aparaffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, a glycol), and the like,or any combination thereof, for example. The phase change material canalso be impregnated with a thermally conductive material such asgraphite powder, for example, to further enhance the transfer of thermalenergy. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88′ is afluid reservoir containing a coolant therein. As another non-limitingexample, the third fluid source 88′ is a fluid reservoir containing aphase change material coolant such as CryoSolplus, for example, therein.As yet another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 90′ is anexternal thermal energy exchanger (e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger,a chiller, etc.) in fluid communication with at least one other systemof the vehicle. It is understood that the external thermal energyexchanger may include a phase change material disposed therein ifdesired.

As shown, the heater core 28′ is in fluid communication with a fourthfluid source 91′ via a conduit 92′. The heater core 28′ is configured toreceive a flow of a fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′therein. The fourth fluid source 91′ can be any conventional source ofheated fluid such as the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle, forexample, and the fourth fluid can be any fluid such as a phase changematerial, a coolant, and a phase change material coolant, for example. Avalve 93′ can be disposed in the conduit 92′ to selectively militateagainst the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough. The heater core 28′is configured to facilitate a release of thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat the air flowing therethrough when the fuel-powered engineof the vehicle is in operation.

In certain embodiments, the heater core 28′ and the fourth fluid source91′ are in fluid communication with the third fluid source 88′ via aconduit 94′. The fourth fluid releases thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat or charge the phase change material contained in the thirdfluid source 88′. A valve 95′ can be disposed in the conduit 94′ toselectively militate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough.

The heater core 28′ and the fourth fluid source 91′ are also in fluidcommunication with the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ via bypassconduits 96′, 97′. The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ isconfigured to facilitate a release of thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat the air flowing therethrough. Accordingly, a size andcapacity of the heater core 28′ may be decreased, which may cause adecrease in air side pressure drop during heating modes of the HVACsystem 10′, as well as an increase in available package space within thecontrol module 12′. Valves 98′, 99′ can be disposed in the respectiveconduits 96′, 97′ to selectively militate against the flow of the fourthfluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′, the third fluid from the third fluid source88′, and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ are the samefluid types. It is understood, however, that the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′, the third fluid from the third fluid source88′, and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ may bedifferent fluid types if desired.

As shown, the HVAC system 10′ further includes the fifth fluid source102. The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ is in fluid communicationwith the fifth fluid source 102 via a conduit 104. The fifth fluidsource 102 can be any conventional vehicle system such as a batterysystem of the vehicle, for example, and the fifth fluid can be any fluidsuch as a phase change material, a coolant, and a phase change materialcoolant, for example. The fifth fluid source 102 is configured toreceive a flow of the fifth fluid therein. In certain embodiments, thefifth fluid flowing through the fifth fluid source 102 absorbs thermalenergy to cool at least a portion of the fifth fluid source 102 (e.g. abattery cell). Accordingly, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ isconfigured to facilitate an absorption of thermal energy from the fifthfluid by the air flowing therethrough to cool the fifth fluid. In otherembodiments, the fifth fluid flowing through the fifth fluid source 102releases thermal energy to heat at least a portion of the fifth fluidsource 102 (e.g. a battery cell). As such, the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′ is configured to facilitate a release of thermal energyfrom the air flowing therethrough to heat the fifth fluid. A valve 106can be disposed in the conduit 104 to selectively militate against theflow of the fifth fluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, thesecond fluid from the second fluid source 80′ and the fifth fluid fromthe fifth fluid source 102 are the same fluid types. It is understood,however, that the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′ and thefifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102 may be different fluid typesif desired.

In operation, the HVAC system 10′ conditions air by heating or coolingthe air, and providing the conditioned air to the passenger compartmentof the vehicle. Air from the supply of air is received in housing 14′and flows through the module 12′.

In a cooling mode or an engine-off cooling mode of the HVAC system 10′,the blend door 34′ is positioned in one of a first position permittingair from the evaporator core 24′ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′ to only flow into the first passage 30′, a second positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24′ and the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′ to only flow into the second passage 32′, and anintermediate position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24′and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ to flow through both thefirst passage 30′ and the second passage 32′. In a heating mode or anengine-off heating mode of the HVAC system 10′, the blend door 34′ ispositioned either in the second position permitting the air from theevaporator core 24′ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ toonly flow into the second passage 32′ and through the heater core 28′ orin the intermediate position permitting the air from the evaporator core24′ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ to flow through thefirst passage 30′ and the second passage 32′ and through the heater core28′. In a thermal energy charge mode or a recirculation heating mode ofthe HVAC system 10′, the blend door 34′ is positioned in one of thefirst position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24′ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′ to only flow into the firstpassage 30′, the second position permitting the air from the evaporatorcore 24′ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ to only flow intothe second passage 32′, and the intermediate position permitting the airfrom the evaporator core 24′ and the internal thermal energy exchanger78′ to flow through both the first passage 30′ and/or the second passage32′.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′ is in either the cooling mode or the cold thermal energycharge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′ circulatesthrough the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core24′. Additionally, the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′circulates through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′ (e.g. the third layer 44′ of the evaporator core 24′).However, the valve 90′ is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88′ through the conduit 89′to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the valves 93′, 95′, 98′,99′ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′ through the respective conduits 92′,94′, 96′, 97′ to the heater core 28′, the third fluid source 88′, andthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, and the valve 106 is closedto militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifthfluid source 102 through the conduit 104 to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′ flowsinto the evaporator core 24′ where the air is cooled to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the air to the firstfluid from the first fluid source 70′. The conditioned air then flowsfrom the evaporator core 24′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′. As the conditioned air flows through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′, the conditioned air absorbs thermal energy from thesecond fluid. The transfer of thermal energy from the second fluid tothe conditioned air cools the second fluid. The second fluid then flowsto the second fluid source 80′ and absorbs thermal energy to cool orcharge the phase change material, the coolant, the phase change materialcoolant, or any combination thereof contained in the second fluid source80′. The conditioned air then exits the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′ and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′ to flowthrough the first passage 30′ and/or the second passage 32′. It isunderstood, however, that in other embodiments the valve 93′ is open,permitting the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ tocirculate through the conduit 92′ to the heater core 28′, and therebydemist the conditioned air flowing through the second passage 32′.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is operating in thecooling mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′ circulatesthrough the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core24′. However, the valve 86′ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′ throughthe conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′.Additionally, the valve 90′ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′ throughthe conduit 89 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the valves93′, 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed to militate against the circulation of thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ through the respectiveconduits 92′, 94′, 96′, 97′ to the heater core 28′, the third fluidsource 88′, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, and the valve106 is closed to militate against the circulation of the fifth fluidfrom the fifth fluid source 102 through the conduit 104 to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′. Accordingly, the air from the inletsection 16′ flows into the evaporator core 24′ where the air is cooledto a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the air tothe first fluid from the first fluid source 70′. The conditioned airthen flows from the evaporator core 24′ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. As the conditioned air flows through the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′, the temperature of the conditioned air isrelatively unaffected. The conditioned air then exits the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectively permitted by the blenddoor 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′ and/or the second passage32′. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments the valve 93′is open, permitting the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ tocirculate through the conduit 92′ to the heater core 28′, and therebydemist the conditioned air flowing through the second passage 32′.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is not in operation and theHVAC system 10′ is in the engine-off cooling mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70′ does not circulate through the conduit 72′ tothe layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core 24′. However, the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′ circulates through the conduit82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. The valve 90′ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the third fluid from thethird fluid source 88′ through the conduit 89′ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′, the valves 93′, 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′ through the respective conduits 92′, 94′, 96′, 97′ tothe heater core 28′, the third fluid source 88′, and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′, and the valve 106 is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source102 through the conduit 104 to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′ flows through theevaporator core 24′ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the air is cooled to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the air to the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′. The conditioned air then exitsthe thermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectively permitted by theblend door 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′ and/or the secondpassage 32′.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′ is in the heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70′ does not circulate through the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′,42′ of the evaporator core 24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80′ through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′, the valve 90′ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′ throughthe conduit 89′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, and thevalves 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed to militate against the circulation ofthe fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ through the respectiveconduits 94′, 96′, 97′ to the third fluid source 88′ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′. However, the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′ circulates through the conduit 92′ to the heater core28′. The valve 106 is closed to militate against the circulation of thefifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102 through the conduit 104 tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16′ flows through the evaporator core 24′ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The unconditioned air then exits the evaporatorcore 24′ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ and isselectively permitted by the blend door 34′ to flow through the firstpassage 30′ and/or the second passage 32′ through the heater core 28′ tobe heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′ throughthe conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. However,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′ circulates through theconduit 89′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Additionally,the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ circulates through theconduit 92′ to the heater core 28′. However, the valves 95′, 98′, 99′are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91′ through the respective conduits 94′, 96′,97′ to the third fluid source 88′ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′ and the valve 106 is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102 throughthe conduit 104 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′ flows through theevaporator core 24′ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88′ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′ and/or thesecond passage 32′ through the heater core 28′ to be further heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′ throughthe conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the valve90′ is closed to militate against the circulation of the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88′ through the conduit 89′ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′, and the valves 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′ through the conduits 94′, 96′, 97′ to the third fluidsource 88′ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. However, thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ circulates through theconduit 92′ to the heater core 28′. The fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102 circulates through the conduit 104 to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′flows through the evaporator core 24′ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the fifth fluidfrom the fifth fluid source 102 to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′. The transfer of thermal energy from thefifth fluid to the conditioned air cools the fifth fluid. The fifthfluid then flows to the fifth fluid source 102 and absorbs thermalenergy to cool the fifth fluid source 102. The conditioned air thenexits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′and/or the second passage 32′ through the heater core 28′ to be furtherheated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′ throughthe conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the valve90′ is closed to militate against the circulation of the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88′ through the conduit 89′ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′, and the valve 95′ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′ through the conduit 94′ to the third fluid source 88′. However, thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ circulates through theconduits 96′, 97′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ andthrough the conduit 92′ to the heater core 28′. The valve 106 is closedto militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifthfluid source 102 through the conduit 104 to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24′ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ to the air flowing through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′. The conditioned air then exitsthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectively permittedby the blend door 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′ and/or thesecond passage 32′ through the heater core 28′ to be further heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′ throughthe conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the valve90′ is closed to militate against the circulation of the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88′ through the conduit 89′ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′, and the valve 95′ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′ through the conduit 94′ to the third fluid source 88′. However, thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ circulates through theconduits 96′, 97′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ andthrough the conduit 92′ to the heater core 28′. The fifth fluid from thefifth fluid source 102 circulates through the conduit 104 to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′. The fifth fluid mixes with thefourth fluid before, in, or after flowing through the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′flows through the evaporator core 24′ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture ofthe fourth fluid and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′. The mixture of the fourth fluidand the fifth fluid then flows to the fourth fluid source 88′ and thefifth fluid source 102. In the fourth fluid source 88′, the mixture ofthe fourth fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy to cool thefourth fluid source 91′. In the fifth fluid source 102, the mixture ofthe fourth fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy to cool thefifth fluid source 102. The conditioned air then exits the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectively permitted by the blenddoor 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′ and/or the second passage32′ through the heater core 28′ to be further heated to a desiredtemperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is either the heatingmode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70′ does not circulate through the conduit 72′ to thelayers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core 24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′ through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′. However, the third fluid from the third fluidsource 88′ circulates through the conduit 89′ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′ and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′ circulates through the conduit 92′ to the heater core 28′. However,the valves 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed to militate against the circulationof the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′ through theconduits 94′, 96′, 97′ to the third fluid source 88′ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′. The fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102 circulates through the conduit 104 to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′. The fifth fluid mixes with the third fluid before,in, or after flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′ flows through theevaporator core 24′ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture of thethird fluid and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′. The mixture of the third fluid and thefifth fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88′ and the fifth fluidsource 102. In the third fluid source 88′, the mixture of the thirdfluid and the fifth fluid releases thermal energy to heat or charge thephase change material, the coolant, the phase change material coolant,or any combination thereof contained in the third fluid source 88′. Inthe fifth fluid source 102, the mixture of the third fluid and the fifthfluid absorbs thermal energy to cool the fifth fluid source 102. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ andis selectively permitted by the blend door 34′ to flow through the firstpassage 30′ and/or the second passage 32′ through the heater core 28′ tobe further heated to a desired temperature.

In yet other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in either the heatingmode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70′ does not circulate through the conduit 72′ to thelayers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core 24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′ through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′. However, the third fluid from the third fluidsource 88′ circulates through the conduit 89′ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′ and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′ circulates through the conduit 94′ to the third fluid source 88′,and through the conduit 89′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′. Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′circulates through the conduit 92′ to the heater core 28′. The fourthfluid mixes with the third fluid before, in, or after flowing throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. The valve 106 is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Accordingly,the air from the inlet section 16′ flows through the evaporator core 24′where a temperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air thenflows from the evaporator core 24′ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. As the air flows through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′, the air is heated to a desired temperature by a transferof thermal energy from the mixture of the third fluid and the fourthfluid to the air flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger78′. The mixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid then flows tothe third fluid source 88′ and the fourth fluid source 91′. In the thirdfluid source 88′, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′and/or the mixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid releasesthermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the third fluid source 88′. In the fourth fluid source 91′, themixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energyto cool the fourth fluid source 91′. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′ and/or thesecond passage 32′ through the heater core 28′ to be further heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in either the heatingmode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70′ does not circulate through the conduit 72′ to thelayers 40′, 42′ of the evaporator core 24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′ through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′. However, the third fluid from the third fluidsource 88′ circulates through the conduit 89′ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′. The fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′circulates through the conduit 94′ to the third fluid source 88′, andthrough the conduit 89′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′.Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′circulates through the conduit 92′ to the heater core 28′. The fifthfluid from the fifth fluid source 102 circulates through the conduit 104to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. The third fluid, thefourth fluid, and the fifth fluid mix before, in, or after flowingthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Accordingly, the airfrom the inlet section 16′ flows through the evaporator core 24′ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the airis heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe mixture of the third fluid, the fourth fluid, and the fifth fluid tothe air flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Themixture of the third fluid, the fourth fluid, and the fifth fluid thenflows to the third fluid source 88′, the fourth fluid source 91′, andthe fifth fluid source 102. In the third fluid source 88′, the mixtureof the third fluid, the fourth fluid, and the fifth fluid releasesthermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the third fluid source 88′. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′ to flow through the first passage 30′ and/or thesecond passage 32′ through the heater core 28′ to be further heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in the engine-offheating mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′ does notcirculate through the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of theevaporator core 24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′ through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′. Additionally, the valves 93′, 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′ through the respective conduits 92′, 94′, 96′, 97′ to the heatercore 28′, the third fluid source 88′, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′ and the valve 106 is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102 throughthe conduit 104 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. However,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′ circulates through theconduit 89′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Accordingly,the air from the inlet section 16′ flows through the evaporator core 24′where a temperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air thenflows from the evaporator core 24′ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. As the air flows through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′, the air is heated to a desired temperature by a transferof thermal energy from the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′to the air flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′.The conditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′ to flow through thefirst passage 30′ and/or the second passage 32′.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10′ is in an alternativeengine-off heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′does not circulate through the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ of theevaporator core 24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′ through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′. Additionally, the valves 93′, 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′ through the respective conduits 92′, 94′, 96′, 97′ to the heatercore 28′, the third fluid source 88′, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′circulates through the conduit 89′ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′ and the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102circulates through the conduit 104 to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. The fifth fluid mixes with the third fluid before, in, orafter flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′ flows through theevaporator core 24′ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture of thethird fluid and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′. The mixture of the third fluid and thefifth fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88′ and the fifth fluidsource 102. In the third fluid source 88′, the mixture of the thirdfluid and the fifth fluid releases thermal energy to heat or charge thephase change material, the coolant, the phase change material coolant,or any combination thereof contained in the third fluid source 88′. Inthe fifth fluid source 102, the mixture of the third fluid and the fifthfluid absorbs thermal energy to cool the fifth fluid source 102. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′ andis selectively permitted by the blend door 34′ to flow through the firstpassage 30′ and/or the second passage 32′.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′ is in either the recirculation heating mode or another hotthermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70′ does not circulate through the conduit 72′ to the layers 40′, 42′ ofthe evaporator core 24′. Similarly, the valve 86′ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′ through the conduit 82′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′. Additionally, the valves 93′, 95′, 98′, 99′ are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′ through the respective conduits 92′, 94′, 96′, 97′ to the heatercore 28′, the third fluid source 88′, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. The valve 106 is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102 throughthe conduit 104 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. However,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′ circulates through theconduit 89′ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′. Accordingly, are-circulated air from a passenger compartment of the vehicle flowthrough the inlet section 16′ and into the evaporator core 24′ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The re-circulated airthen flows from the evaporator core 24′ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′. As the air flows through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′, the re-circulated air transfers thermal energy to thethird fluid to heat the third fluid. The third fluid then flows to thethird fluid source 88′ and releases thermal energy to heat or charge thephase change material, the coolant, the phase change material coolant,or any combination thereof contained in the third fluid source 88′. There-circulated air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′ to flow through thefirst passage 30′ and/or the second passage 32′.

FIG. 4 shows another an alternative embodiment of the HVAC systems 10,10′ illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Structure similar to that illustratedin FIGS. 1-3 includes the same reference numeral and a double prime (″)symbol for clarity. In FIG. 4, the HVAC system 10″ is substantiallysimilar to the HVAC systems 10, 10′ except an external thermal energyexchanger 308 is disposed between the heater core 28″ and the fourthfluid source 91″.

The evaporator core 24″ of the present invention, shown in FIG. 4, is amulti-layer louvered-fin thermal energy exchanger. In a non-limitingexample, the evaporator core 24″ has a first layer 40″, a second layer42″, and a third layer 44″ arranged substantially perpendicular to thedirection of flow through a module 12″. Additional or fewer layers thanshown can be employed as desired. The layers 40″, 42″, 44″ are arrangedso the second layer 42″ is disposed downstream of the first layer 40″and upstream of the third layer 44″ in respect of the direction of flowthrough the module 12″. It is understood, however, that the layers 40″,42″, 44″ can be arranged as desired. The layers 40″, 42″, 44″ can bebonded together by any suitable method as desired such as brazing andwelding, for example.

The layers 40″, 42″ of the evaporator core 24″, shown in FIG. 4, are influid communication with a first fluid source 70″ via a conduit 72″. Itis understood, however, that any of the layers 40″, 42″, 44″, alone orin combination, may be in fluid communication with the first fluidsource 70″ via the conduit 72″ and configured to receive the flow of thefirst fluid therein. The first fluid source 70″ includes a prime mover74″ such as a pump or a compressor, for example, to cause a first fluidto circulate therein. Each of the layers 40″, 42″ shown is configured toreceive a flow of the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″therein. The first fluid absorbs thermal energy to condition the airflowing through the module 12″ when a fuel-powered engine of thevehicle, and thereby the prime mover 74″, is in operation. As anon-limiting example, the first fluid source 70″ is a refrigerationcircuit, and the first fluid is a refrigerant such as R134a, HFO-1234yf,AC-5, AC-6, and CO₂, for example. A valve 76″ can be disposed in theconduit 72″ to selectively militate against the flow of the first fluidtherethrough.

The HVAC system 10″ of the present invention further includes aninternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ in fluid communication with asecond fluid source 80″ via a conduit 82″. The second fluid source 80″includes a prime mover 84″ (e.g. an electrical pump) to cause a secondfluid to circulate through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Asillustrated, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ is the thirdlayer 44″ of the evaporator core 24″. It is understood, however, thatthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ may be any of the layers 42″,44″ of the evaporator core 24″, alone or in combination, in fluidcommunication with the second fluid source 80″ via the conduit 82″ andconfigured to receive the flow of the second fluid from the second fluidsource 80″ therein. In another particular embodiment, the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″ is a separate thermal energy exchangerdisposed downstream and spaced apart from the evaporator core 24″ andupstream of the blend door 34″. It is understood that the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″ can be any conventional thermal energyexchanger as desired.

The second fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to condition the airflowing through the module 12″. A valve 86″ can be disposed in theconduit 82″ to selectively militate against the flow of the second fluidtherethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80″ isa fluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM) therein.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the phase change materialcan be any suitable material that melts and solidifies at predeterminedtemperatures and is capable of storing and releasing thermal energy suchas organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids (e.g. a paraffin, aparaffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, a glycol), and the like,or any combination thereof, for example. The phase change material canalso be impregnated with a thermally conductive material such asgraphite powder, for example, to further enhance the transfer of thermalenergy. As another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80″ isa fluid reservoir containing a coolant therein. As another non-limitingexample, the second fluid source 80″ is a fluid reservoir containing aphase change material coolant such as CryoSolplus, for example, therein.As yet another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80″ is anexternal thermal energy exchanger (e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger,a chiller, etc.) in fluid communication with at least one other systemof the vehicle. It is understood that the external thermal energyexchanger may include a phase change material disposed therein ifdesired.

The internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ is also in fluid communicationwith a third fluid source 88″ via a conduit 89″ and configured toreceive the flow of a third fluid from the third fluid source 88″therein. The third fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to cool theair flowing through the module 12″. A valve 90″ can be disposed in theconduit 89″ to selectively militate against the flow of the third fluidtherethrough. As a non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88″ is afluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM) therein. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the phase change material can beany suitable material that melts and solidifies at predeterminedtemperatures and is capable of storing and releasing thermal energy suchas organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids (e.g. a paraffin, aparaffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, a glycol), and the like,or any combination thereof, for example. The phase change material canalso be impregnated with a thermally conductive material such asgraphite powder, for example, to further enhance the transfer of thermalenergy. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88″ is afluid reservoir containing a coolant therein. As another non-limitingexample, the third fluid source 88″ is a fluid reservoir containing aphase change material coolant such as CryoSolplus, for example, therein.As yet another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 90″ is anexternal thermal energy exchanger (e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger,a chiller, etc.) in fluid communication with at least one other systemof the vehicle. It is understood that the external thermal energyexchanger may include a phase change material disposed therein ifdesired.

As shown, the heater core 28″ is in fluid communication with a fourthfluid source 91″ via a conduit 92″. The heater core 28″ is configured toreceive a flow of a fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″therein via a conduit 302. The fourth fluid source 91″ can be anyconventional source of heated fluid such as the fuel-powered engine ofthe vehicle, for example, and the fourth fluid can be any fluid such asa phase change material, a coolant, and a phase change material coolant,for example. A valve 93″ can be disposed in the conduit 92″ toselectively militate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough.The heater core 28″ is configured to facilitate a release of thermalenergy from the fourth fluid to heat the air flowing therethrough whenthe fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation.

In certain embodiments, the heater core 28″ and the fourth fluid source91″ are in fluid communication with the third fluid source 88″ via aconduit 94″. The fourth fluid releases thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat or charge the phase change material contained in the thirdfluid source 88″. A valve 95″ can be disposed in the conduit 94″ toselectively militate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough.

The heater core 28″ and the fourth fluid source 91″ are also in fluidcommunication with the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ via bypassconduits 96″, 97″. The internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ isconfigured to facilitate a release of thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat the air flowing therethrough. Accordingly, a size andcapacity of the heater core 28″ may be decreased, which may cause adecrease in air side pressure drop during heating modes of the HVACsystem 10″, as well as an increase in available package space within thecontrol module 12″. Valves 98″, 99″ can be disposed in the respectiveconduits 96″, 97″ to selectively militate against the flow of the fourthfluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80″, the third fluid from the third fluid source88″, and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ are the samefluid types. It is understood, however, that the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80″, the third fluid from the third fluid source88″, and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ may bedifferent fluid types if desired.

An external thermal energy exchanger 308 may be disposed in the conduit302. The external thermal energy exchanger 308 is disposed downstream ofthe fourth fluid source 91″ and upstream of the heater core 28″. Theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308 shown is a liquid-to-liquidcondenser of a heat pump system. It is understood, however, that theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308 can be any conventional thermalenergy exchanger such as a shell and tube heat exchanger, a chiller, andthe like, for example. As illustrated, the external thermal energyexchanger 308 is configured to receive a flow of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91″ and a flow of a working fluid from anothervehicle system therein via a conduit 310. In certain embodiments, theworking fluid is the first fluid (e.g. refrigerant) from the first fluidsource 70″ (e.g. the refrigerant circuit) which has been discharged bythe prime mover 74″. The external thermal energy exchanger 308 isconfigured to facilitate an absorption of thermal energy by the fourthfluid to coal the working fluid flowing therethrough when thefuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation.

In operation, the HVAC system 10″ conditions air by heating or coolingthe air, and providing the conditioned air to the passenger compartmentof the vehicle. Air from the supply of air is received in housing 14″and flows through the module 12″.

In a cooling mode or an engine-off cooling mode of the HVAC system 10″,the blend door 34″ is positioned in one of a first position permittingair from the evaporator core 24″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″ to only flow into the first passage 30″, a second positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24″ and the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78″ to only flow into the second passage 32″, and anintermediate position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24″and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ to flow through both thefirst passage 30″ and the second passage 32″. In a heating mode or anengine-off heating mode of the HVAC system 10″, the blend door 34″ ispositioned either in the second position permitting the air from theevaporator core 24″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ toonly flow into the second passage 32″ and through the heater core 28″ orin the intermediate position permitting the air from the evaporator core24″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ to flow through thefirst passage 30″ and the second passage 32″ and through the heater core28″. In a thermal energy charge mode or a recirculation heating mode ofthe HVAC system 10″, the blend door 34″ is positioned in one of thefirst position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ to only flow into the firstpassage 30″, the second position permitting the air from the evaporatorcore 24″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ to only flow intothe second passage 32″, and the intermediate position permitting the airfrom the evaporator core 24″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger78″ to flow through both the first passage 30″ and/or the second passage32″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10″ is in either the cooling mode or the cold thermal energycharge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″ circulatesthrough the conduit 72″ to the layers 40″, 42″ of the evaporator core24″. Additionally, the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″circulates through the conduit 82″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″ (e.g. the third layer 44″ of the evaporator core 24″).However, the valve 90″ is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88″ through the conduit 89″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and the valves 93″, 95″,98″, 99″ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ through the respective conduits92″, 94″, 96″, 97″ to the heater core 28″, the third fluid source 88″,and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Accordingly, the air fromthe inlet section 16″ flows into the evaporator core 24″ where the airis cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe air to the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″. Theconditioned air then flows from the evaporator core 24″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″. As the conditioned air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the conditioned air absorbsthermal energy from the second fluid. The transfer of thermal energyfrom the second fluid to the conditioned air cools the second fluid. Thesecond fluid then flows to the second fluid source 80″ and absorbsthermal energy to cool or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the second fluid source 80″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34″ to flow through the first passage 30″ and/or thesecond passage 32″. It is understood, however, that in other embodimentsthe valve 93″ is open, permitting the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91″ to circulate through the conduits 92″, 302 and through theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308 to the heater core 28″, andthereby demist the conditioned air flowing through the second passage32″.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″ is operating in thecooling mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″ circulatesthrough the conduit 72″ to the layers 40″, 42″ of the evaporator core24″. However, the valve 86″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″ throughthe conduit 82″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″.Additionally, the valve 90″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″ throughthe conduit 89″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and thevalves 93″, 95″, 98″, 99″ are closed to militate against the circulationof the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ through therespective conduits 92″, 94″, 96″, 97″ to the heater core 28″, the thirdfluid source 88″, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16″ flows into theevaporator core 24″ where the air is cooled to a desired temperature bya transfer of thermal energy from the air to the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70″. The conditioned air then flows from theevaporator core 24″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. As theconditioned air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″,the temperature of the conditioned air is relatively unaffected. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ andis selectively permitted by the blend door 34″ to flow through the firstpassage 30″ and/or the second passage 32″. It is understood, however,that in other embodiments the valve 93″ is open, permitting the fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ to circulate through the conduits92″, 302 and through the external thermal energy exchanger 308 to theheater core 28″, and thereby demist the conditioned air flowing throughthe second passage 32″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is not in operation and theHVAC system 10″ is in the engine-off cooling mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″ tothe layers 40″, 42″ of the evaporator core 24″. However, the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80″ circulates through the conduit82″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Additionally, thevalve 90″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the thirdfluid from the third fluid source 88″ through the conduit 89″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and the valves 93″, 95″, 98″, 99″are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91″ through the respective conduits 92″, 94″,96″, 97″ to the heater core 28″, the third fluid source 88″, and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16″ flows through the evaporator core 24″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the airis cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe air to the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″. Theconditioned air then exits the thermal energy exchanger 78″ and isselectively permitted by the blend door 34″ to flow through the firstpassage 30″ and/or the second passage 32″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10″ is in the heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″ to the layers 40″,42″ of the evaporator core 24″. Similarly, the valve 86″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80″ through the conduit 82″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″, the valve 90″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″ throughthe conduit 89″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″, and thevalves 95″, 98″, 99″ are closed to militate against the circulation ofthe fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ through the respectiveconduits 94″, 96″, 97″ to the third fluid source 88″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91″ circulates through the conduits 92″, 302 and throughthe external thermal energy exchanger 308 to the heater core 28″. Withinthe external thermal energy exchanger 308, the fourth fluid absorbsthermal energy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, thefourth fluid is heated before flowing into the heater core 28″.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16″ flows through theevaporator core 24″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ wherea temperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The unconditioned airthen exits the evaporator core 24″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″ and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34″ to flowthrough the first passage 30″ and/or the second passage 32″ through theheater core 28″ to be heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72″ to the layers 40″, 42″ of the evaporator core24″. Similarly, the valve 86″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″ throughthe conduit 82″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. However,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″ circulates through theconduit 89″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Additionally,the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ circulates through theconduits 92″, 302 and through the external thermal energy exchanger 308to the heater core 28″. Within the external thermal energy exchanger308, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluidflowing therethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heated before flowinginto the heater core 28″. However, the valves 95″, 98″, 99″ are closedto militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91″ through the respective conduits 94″, 96″, 97″ to thethird fluid source 88″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16″ flows through theevaporator core 24″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34″ to flow through the first passage 30″ and/or thesecond passage 32″ through the heater core 28″ to be further heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72″ to the layers 40″, 42″ of the evaporator core24″. Similarly, the valve 86″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″ throughthe conduit 82″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the valve90″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88″ through the conduit 89″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″, and the valve 95″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91″ through the conduit 94″ to the third fluid source 88″. However, thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ circulates through theconduits 96″, 97″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″.Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″circulates through the conduits 92″, 302 and through the externalthermal energy exchanger 308 to the heater core 28″. Within the externalthermal energy exchanger 308, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energyfrom the working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, the fourth fluidis heated before flowing into the heater core 28″. Accordingly, the airfrom the inlet section 16″ flows through the evaporator core 24″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the airis heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″ to the air flowingthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. The conditioned airthen exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34″ to flow through the first passage 30″and/or the second passage 32″ through the heater core 28″ to be furtherheated to a desired temperature.

In yet other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″ is in either the heatingmode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″ to thelayers 40″, 42″ of the evaporator core 24″. Similarly, the valve 86″ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80″ through the conduit 82″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78″ and the valves 98″, 99″ are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91″ through the respective conduits 96″, 97″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91″ circulates through the conduit 94″ to the third fluid source88″, and through the conduit 89″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″. Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91″ circulates through the conduits 92″, 302 and through theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308 to the heater core 28″. Within theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308, the fourth fluid absorbs thermalenergy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, the fourthfluid is heated before flowing into the heater core 28″. The fourthfluid mixes with the third fluid before, in, or after flowing throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16″ flows through the evaporator core 24″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the airis heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe mixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid to the air flowingthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. The mixture of thethird fluid and the fourth fluid then flows to the third fluid source88″ and the fourth fluid source 91″. In the third fluid source 88″, themixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid releases thermal energyto heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant, the phasechange material coolant, or any combination thereof contained in thethird fluid source 88″. The conditioned air then exits the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″ and is selectively permitted by the blenddoor 34″ to flow through the first passage 30″ and/or the second passage32″ through the heater core 28″ to be further heated to a desiredtemperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10″ is in the engine-offheating mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″ does notcirculate through the conduit 72″ to the layers 40″, 42″ of theevaporator core 24″. Similarly, the valve 86″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80″ through the conduit 82″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78″. Additionally, the valves 93″, 95″, 98″, 99″ are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91″ through the respective conduits 92″, 94″, 96″, 97″ to the heatercore 28″, the third fluid source 88″, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″circulates through the conduit 89″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24″ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34″ to flow through the first passage 30″ and/or thesecond passage 32″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10″ is in either the recirculation heating mode or another hotthermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″ to the layers 40″, 42″ ofthe evaporator core 24″. Similarly, the valve 86″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80″ through the conduit 82″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78″. Additionally, the valves 93″, 95″, 98″, 99″ are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91″ through the respective conduits 92″, 94″, 96″, 97″ to the heatercore 28″, the third fluid source 88″, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″circulates through the conduit 89″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″. Accordingly, a re-circulated air from a passengercompartment of the vehicle flow through the inlet section 16″ and intothe evaporator core 24″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The re-circulated air then flows from the evaporator core24″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″. As the air flowsthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″, the re-circulated airtransfers thermal energy to the third fluid to heat the third fluid. Thethird fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88″ and releasesthermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the third fluid source 88″. The re-circulated air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34″ to flow through the first passage 30″ and/or thesecond passage 32″.

FIG. 5 shows another an alternative embodiment of the HVAC systems 10,10′, 10″ illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-4. Structure similar to thatillustrated in FIGS. 1-4 includes the same reference numeral and atriple prime (′″) symbol for clarity. In FIG. 5, the HVAC system 10′″ issubstantially similar to the HVAC systems 10, 10′, 10″ except theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ is in fluid communication with asecond fluid source 80′″, a third fluid source 88′″, a fourth fluidsource 91′″, and a fifth fluid source 102′″.

The evaporator core 24′″ of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, is amulti-layer louvered-fin thermal energy exchanger. In a non-limitingexample, the evaporator core 24′″ has a first layer 40′″, a second layer42′″, and a third layer 44′″ arranged substantially perpendicular to thedirection of flow through a module 12′″. Additional or fewer layers thanshown can be employed as desired. The layers 40′″, 42′″, 44′″ arearranged so the second layer 42′″ is disposed downstream of the firstlayer 40′″ and upstream of the third layer 44′″ in respect of thedirection of flow through the module 12′″. It is understood, however,that the layers 40′″, 42′″, 44′″ can be arranged as desired. The layers40′″, 42′″, 44′″ can be bonded together by any suitable method asdesired such as brazing and welding, for example.

The layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″, shown in FIG. 5, arein fluid communication with a first fluid source 70′″ via a conduit72′″. It is understood, however, that any of the layers 40′″, 42′″,44′″, alone or in combination, may be in fluid communication with thefirst fluid source 70′″ via the conduit 72′″ and configured to receivethe flow of the first fluid therein. The first fluid source 70′″includes a prime mover 74′″ such as a pump or a compressor, for example,to cause a first fluid to circulate therein. Each of the layers 40′″,42′″ shown is configured to receive a flow of the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70′″ therein. The first fluid absorbs thermal energyto condition the air flowing through the module 12′″ when a fuel-poweredengine of the vehicle, and thereby the prime mover 74′″, is inoperation. As a non-limiting example, the first fluid source 70′″ is arefrigeration circuit, and the first fluid is a refrigerant such asR134a, HFO-1234yf, AC-5, AC-6, and CO₂, for example. A valve 76′″ can bedisposed in the conduit 72′″ to selectively militate against the flow ofthe first fluid therethrough.

The HVAC system 10′″ of the present invention further includes aninternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ in fluid communication with asecond fluid source 80′″ via a conduit 82′″. The second fluid source80′″ includes a prime mover 84′″ (e.g. an electrical pump) to cause asecond fluid to circulate through the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″. As illustrated, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ is thethird layer 44′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. It is understood, however,that the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ may be any of the layers42′″, 44′″ of the evaporator core 24′″, alone or in combination, influid communication with the second fluid source 80′″ via the conduit82′″ and configured to receive the flow of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′″ therein. In another particular embodiment, theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ is a separate thermal energyexchanger disposed downstream and spaced apart from the evaporator core24′″ and upstream of the blend door 34′″. It is understood that theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ can be any conventional thermalenergy exchanger as desired.

The second fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to condition the airflowing through the module 12′″. A valve 86′″ can be disposed in theconduit 82′″ to selectively militate against the flow of the secondfluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid source80′″ is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM)therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the phase changematerial can be any suitable material that melts and solidifies atpredetermined temperatures and is capable of storing and releasingthermal energy such as organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids(e.g. a paraffin, a paraffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, aglycol), and the like, or any combination thereof, for example. Thephase change material can also be impregnated with a thermallyconductive material such as graphite powder, for example, to furtherenhance the transfer of thermal energy. As another non-limiting example,the second fluid source 80′″ is a fluid reservoir containing a coolanttherein. As another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80′″is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material coolant such asCryoSolplus, for example, therein. As yet another non-limiting example,the second fluid source 80′″ is an external thermal energy exchanger(e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger, a chiller, etc.) in fluidcommunication with at least one other system of the vehicle. It isunderstood that the external thermal energy exchanger may include aphase change material disposed therein if desired.

The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ is also in fluidcommunication with a third fluid source 88′″ via a conduit 89′″ andconfigured to receive the flow of a third fluid from the third fluidsource 88′″ therein. The third fluid absorbs or releases thermal energyto cool the air flowing through the module 12′″. A valve 90′″ can bedisposed in the conduit 89′″ to selectively militate against the flow ofthe third fluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the third fluidsource 88′″ is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material(PCM) therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the phasechange material can be any suitable material that melts and solidifiesat predetermined temperatures and is capable of storing and releasingthermal energy such as organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids(e.g. a paraffin, a paraffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, aglycol), and the like, or any combination thereof, for example. Thephase change material can also be impregnated with a thermallyconductive material such as graphite powder, for example, to furtherenhance the transfer of thermal energy. As another non-limiting example,the third fluid source 88′″ is a fluid reservoir containing a coolanttherein. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88′″ isa fluid reservoir containing a phase change material coolant such asCryoSolplus, for example, therein. As yet another non-limiting example,the third fluid source 90′″ is an external thermal energy exchanger(e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger, a chiller, etc.) in fluidcommunication with at least one other system of the vehicle. It isunderstood that the external thermal energy exchanger may include aphase change material disposed therein if desired.

As shown, the heater core 28′″ is in fluid communication with a fourthfluid source 91′″ via a conduit 92′″. The heater core 28′″ is configuredto receive a flow of a fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″therein via a conduit 302′″. The fourth fluid source 91′″ can be anyconventional source of heated fluid such as the fuel-powered engine ofthe vehicle, for example, and the fourth fluid can be any fluid such asa phase change material, a coolant, and a phase change material coolant,for example. A valve 93′″ can be disposed in the conduit 92′″ toselectively militate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough.The heater core 28′″ is configured to facilitate a release of thermalenergy from the fourth fluid to heat the air flowing therethrough whenthe fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation.

In certain embodiments, the heater core 28′″ and the fourth fluid source91′″ are in fluid communication with the third fluid source 88′″ via aconduit 94′″. The fourth fluid releases thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat or charge the phase change material contained in the thirdfluid source 88′″. A valve 95′″; can be disposed in the conduit 94′″ toselectively militate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough.

The heater core 28′″ and the fourth fluid source 91′″ are also in fluidcommunication with the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ via bypassconduits 96′″, 97′″. The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ isconfigured to facilitate a release of thermal energy from the fourthfluid to heat the air flowing therethrough. Accordingly, a size andcapacity of the heater core 28′″ may be decreased, which may cause adecrease in air side pressure drop during heating modes of the HVACsystem 10′″, as well as an increase in available package space withinthe control module 12′″. Valves 98′″, 99′″ can be disposed in therespective conduits 96′″, 97′″ to selectively militate against the flowof the fourth fluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′″, the third fluid from the thirdfluid source 88′″, and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′″ are the same fluid types. It is understood, however, that thesecond fluid from the second fluid source 80′″, the third fluid from thethird fluid source 88′″, and the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91′″ may be different fluid types if desired.

An external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ may be disposed in theconduit 302′″. The external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ is disposeddownstream of the fourth fluid source 91′″ and upstream of the heatercore 28′″. The external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ shown is aliquid-to-liquid condenser of a heat pump system. It is understood,however, that the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ can be anyconventional thermal energy exchanger such as a shell and tube heatexchanger, a chiller, and the like, for example. As illustrated, theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308′″ is configured to receive a flowof the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″ and a flow of aworking fluid from another vehicle system therein via a conduit 310′″.In certain embodiments, the working fluid is the first fluid (e.g.refrigerant) from the first fluid source 70′″ (e.g. the refrigerantcircuit) which has been discharged by the prime mover 74′″. The externalthermal energy exchanger 308′″ is configured to facilitate an absorptionof thermal energy by the fourth fluid to cool the working fluid flowingtherethrough when the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is inoperation.

As shown, the HVAC system 10″ further includes a fifth fluid source102′″. The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ is in fluidcommunication with the fifth fluid source 102′″ via a conduit 104′″. Thefifth fluid source 102′″ can be any conventional vehicle system such asa battery system of the vehicle, for example, and the fifth fluid can beany fluid such as a phase change material, a coolant, and a phase changematerial coolant, for example. The fifth fluid source 102′″ isconfigured to receive a flow of the fifth fluid therein. In certainembodiments, the fifth fluid flowing through the fifth fluid source102′″ absorbs thermal energy to cool at least a portion of the fifthfluid source 102′″ (e.g. a battery cell). Accordingly, the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″ is configured to facilitate an absorptionof thermal energy from the fifth fluid by the air flowing therethroughto cool the fifth fluid. In other embodiments, the fifth fluid flowingthrough the fifth fluid source 102′″ releases thermal energy to heat atleast a portion of the fifth fluid source 102′″ (e.g. a battery cell).As such, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ is configured tofacilitate a release of thermal energy from the air flowing therethroughto heat the fifth fluid. A valve 106′″ can be disposed in the conduit104′″ to selectively militate against the flow of the fifth fluidtherethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′″ and the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source102′″ are the same fluid types. It is understood, however, that thesecond fluid from the second fluid source 80′″ and the fifth fluid fromthe fifth fluid source 102′″ may be different fluid types if desired.

In operation, the HVAC system 10′″ conditions air by heating or coolingthe air, and providing the conditioned air to the passenger compartmentof the vehicle. Air from the supply of air is received in housing 14′″and flows through the module 12′″.

In a cooling mode or an engine-off cooling mode of the HVAC system 10′″,the blend door 34′″ is positioned in one of a first position permittingair from the evaporator core 24′″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″ to only flow into the first passage 30′″, a secondposition permitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ to only flow into the secondpassage 32′″, and an intermediate position permitting the air from theevaporator core 24′″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ toflow through both the first passage 30′″ and the second passage 32′″. Ina heating mode or an engine-off heating mode of the HVAC system 10′″,the blend door 34′″ is positioned either in the second positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″ to only flow into the second passage 32′″and through the heater core 28′″ or in the intermediate positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ andthe second passage 32′″ and through the heater core 28′″. In a thermalenergy charge mode or a recirculation heating mode of the HVAC system10′″, the blend door 34′″ is positioned in one of the first positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″ to only flow into the first passage 30′″,the second position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″ andthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ to only flow into the secondpassage 32′″, and the intermediate position permitting the air from theevaporator core 24′″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ toflow through both the first passage 30′″ and/or the second passage 32′″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′″ is in either the cooling mode or the cold thermal energycharge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″ circulatesthrough the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core24′″. Additionally, the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″circulates through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″ (e.g. the third layer 44′″ of the evaporator core 24′″).However, the valve 90′″ is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″ through the conduit89′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the valves 93′″,95′″, 98′″, 99′″ are closed to militate against the circulation of thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″ through the respectiveconduits 92′″, 94′″, 96′″, 97′″ to the heater core 28′″, the third fluidsource 88′″, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, and thevalve 106′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the fifthfluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″ through the conduit 104′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16′″ flows into the evaporator core 24′″ where the air iscooled to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from theair to the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″. The conditionedair then flows from the evaporator core 24′″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″. As the conditioned air flows through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″, the conditioned air absorbs thermalenergy from the second fluid. The transfer of thermal energy from thesecond fluid to the conditioned air cools the second fluid. The secondfluid then flows to the second fluid source 80′″ and absorbs thermalenergy to cool or charge the phase change material, the coolant, thephase change material coolant, or any combination thereof contained inthe second fluid source 80′″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″. It is understood, however, that in otherembodiments the valve 93′″ is open, permitting the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91′″ to circulate through the conduits 92′″, 302′″and through the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heatercore 28′″, and thereby demist the conditioned air flowing through thesecond passage 32′″.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is operating in thecooling mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″circulates through the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of theevaporator core 24′″. However, the valve 86′″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″. Additionally, the valve 90′″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″ throughthe conduit 89 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the valves93′″, 95′″, 98′″, 99′″ are closed to militate against the circulation ofthe fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″ through therespective conduits 92′″, 94′″, 96′″, 97′″ to the heater core 28′″, thethird fluid source 88′″, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″,and the valve 106′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of thefifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″ through the conduit 104′″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air fromthe inlet section 16′″ flows into the evaporator core 24′″ where the airis cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy fromthe air to the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″. Theconditioned air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. As the conditioned air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the temperature of theconditioned air is relatively unaffected. The conditioned air then exitsthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permittedby the blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″. It is understood, however, that in otherembodiments the valve 93′″ is open, permitting the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91′″ to circulate through the conduits 92′″, 302′″and through the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heatercore 28′″, and thereby demist the conditioned air flowing through thesecond passage 32′″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is not in operation and theHVAC system 10′″ is in the engine-off cooling mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. However, thesecond fluid from the second fluid source 80′″ circulates through theconduit 82′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The valve90′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88′″ through the conduit 89′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the valves 93′″, 95′″, 98′″,99′″ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″ through the respective conduits 92′″,94′″, 96′″, 97′″ to the heater core 28′″, the third fluid source 88′″,and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, and the valve 106′″ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from thefifth fluid source 102′″ through the conduit 104′″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air from the inletsection 16′″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″ where a temperatureof the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows from theevaporator core 24′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, theair is cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energyfrom the air to the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″. Theconditioned air then exits the thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and isselectively permitted by the blend door 34′″ to flow through the firstpassage 30′″ and/or the second passage 32′″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′″ is in the heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″ to the layers40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″, the valve 90′″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the third fluid from the third fluid source88′″ through the conduit 89′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″, and the valves 95′″, 98′″, 99′″ are closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″through the respective conduits 94′″, 96′″, 97′″ to the third fluidsource 88′″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. However, thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″ circulates through theconduits 92′″, 302′″ and through the external thermal energy exchanger308′″ to the heater core 28′″. Within the external thermal energyexchanger 308′″, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy from theworking fluid flowing therethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heatedbefore flowing into the heater core 28′″. The valve 106′″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102′″ through the conduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24′″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″ where a temperature of the air is relatively unaffected.The unconditioned air then exits the evaporator core 24′″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″ through the heater core 28′″ to be heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″ circulatesthrough the conduit 89′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″circulates through the conduits 92′″, 302′″ and through the externalthermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heater core 28′″. Within theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308′″, the fourth fluid absorbsthermal energy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, thefourth fluid is heated before flowing into the heater core 28′″.However, the valves 95′″, 98′″, 99′″ are closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″through the respective conduits 94′″, 96′″, 97′″ to the third fluidsource 88″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and the valve106′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the fifth fluidfrom the fifth fluid source 102′″ through the conduit 104′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16′″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.As the air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, theair is heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energyfrom the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″ to the air flowingthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The conditioned airthen exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″and/or the second passage 32′″ through the heater core 28′″ to befurther heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″,the valve 90′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of thethird fluid from the third fluid source 88′″ through the conduit 89′″ tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, and the valves 95′″, 98′″,99′″ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″ through the conduits 94′″, 96′″, 97′″to the third fluid source 88′″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″circulates through the conduits 92′″, 302′″ and through the externalthermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heater core 28′″. Within theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308′″, the fourth fluid absorbsthermal energy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, thefourth fluid is heated before flowing into the heater core 28′″. Thefifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″ circulates through theconduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″ flows through theevaporator core 24′″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the fifth fluid fromthe fifth fluid source 102′″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. The transfer of thermal energy from thefifth fluid to the conditioned air cools the fifth fluid. The fifthfluid then flows to the fifth fluid source 102′″ and absorbs thermalenergy to cool the fifth fluid source 102′″. The conditioned air thenexits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″and/or the second passage 32′″ through the heater core 28′″ to befurther heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″,the valve 90′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of thethird fluid from the third fluid source 88′″ through the conduit 89′″ tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, and the valve 95′″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″ through the conduit 94′″ to the third fluid source88′″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″circulates through the conduits 96′″, 97′″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″. Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″ circulates through the conduits 92′″, 302′″ andthrough the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heater core28′″. Within the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″, the fourthfluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowingtherethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heated before flowing intothe heater core 28′″. The valve 106 is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″ throughthe conduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″ flows through theevaporator core 24′″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91′″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″ through the heater core 28′″ to be further heated toa desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″,the valve 90′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of thethird fluid from the third fluid source 88′″ through the conduit 89′″ tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the valve 95′″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″ through the conduit 94′″ to the third fluid source88′″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″circulates through the conduits 96′″, 97′″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″. Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″ circulates through the conduits 92′″, 302′″ andthrough the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heater core28′″. Within the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″, the fourthfluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowingtherethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heated before flowing intothe heater core 28′″. The fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″circulates through the conduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. The fifth fluid mixes with the fourth fluid before, in,or after flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″ flows through theevaporator core 24′″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture of thefourth fluid and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. The mixture of the fourth fluid and thefifth fluid then flows to the fourth fluid source 88′″ and the fifthfluid source 102. In the fourth fluid source 88′″, the mixture of thefourth fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy to cool thefourth fluid source 91′″. In the fifth fluid source 102′″, the mixtureof the fourth fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy to coolthe fifth fluid source 102′″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″ through the heater core 28′″ to be further heated toa desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is either the heatingmode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″ tothe layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. Similarly, the valve86′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the second fluidfrom the second fluid source 80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. However, the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88′″ circulates through the conduit 89′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Additionally, the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″ circulates through the conduits 92′″,302′″ and through the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ to theheater core 28′″. Within the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″,the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowingtherethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heated before flowing intothe heater core 28′″. However, the valves 95′″, 98′″, 99′″ are closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″ through the conduits 94′″, 96′″, 97′″ to the thirdfluid source 88′″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Thefifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″ circulates through theconduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The fifthfluid mixes with the third fluid before, in, or after flowing throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16′″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.As the air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, theair is heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energyfrom the mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid to the airflowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The mixtureof the third fluid and the fifth fluid then flows to the third fluidsource 88′″ and the fifth fluid source 102′″. In the third fluid source88′″, the mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid releasesthermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the third fluid source 88′″. In the fifth fluid source 102′″, themixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy tocool the fifth fluid source 102′″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″ through the heater core 28′″ to be further heated toa desired temperature.

In yet other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in either theheating mode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. Similarly, thevalve 86′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. However, the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88′″ circulates through the conduit 89′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91′″ circulates through the conduit 94′″ to thethird fluid source 88′″, and through the conduit 89′″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. Additionally, the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91′″ circulates through the conduits 92′″, 302′″ andthrough the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heater core28′″. Within the external thermal energy exchanger 308′″, the fourthfluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowingtherethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heated before flowing intothe heater core 28′″. The fourth fluid mixes with the third fluidbefore, in, or after flowing through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. The valve 106′″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16′″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″.As the air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, theair is heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energyfrom the mixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid to the airflowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The mixtureof the third fluid and the fourth fluid then flows to the third fluidsource 88′″ and the fourth fluid source 91′″. In the third fluid source88′″, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″ and/or themixture of the third fluid and the fourth fluid releases thermal energyto heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant, the phasechange material coolant, or any combination thereof contained in thethird fluid source 88′″. In the fourth fluid source 91′″, the mixture ofthe third fluid and the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy to cool thefourth fluid source 91′″. The conditioned air then exits the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted by the blenddoor 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or the secondpassage 32′″ through the heater core 28′″ to be further heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in either theheating mode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″to the layers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. Similarly, thevalve 86′″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. However, the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88′″ circulates through the conduit 89′″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″ circulates through the conduit 94′″ to the third fluidsource 88′″, and through the conduit 89′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91′″ circulates through the conduits 92′″, 302′″ and through theexternal thermal energy exchanger 308′″ to the heater core 28′″. Withinthe external thermal energy exchanger 308′″, the fourth fluid absorbsthermal energy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, thefourth fluid is heated before flowing into the heater core 28′″. Thefifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″ circulates through theconduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The thirdfluid, the fourth fluid, and the fifth fluid mix before, in, or afterflowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Accordingly,the air from the inlet section 16′″ flows through the evaporator core24′″ where a temperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The airthen flows from the evaporator core 24′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. As the air flows through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″, the air is heated to a desired temperature by a transferof thermal energy from the mixture of the third fluid, the fourth fluid,and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″. The mixture of the third fluid, the fourth fluid,and the fifth fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88′″, thefourth fluid source 91′″, and the fifth fluid source 102′″. In the thirdfluid source 88′″, the mixture of the third fluid, the fourth fluid, andthe fifth fluid releases thermal energy to heat or charge the phasechange material, the coolant, the phase change material coolant, or anycombination thereof contained in the third fluid source 88′″. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′″ to flow through thefirst passage 30′″ and/or the second passage 32′″ through the heatercore 28′″ to be further heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in theengine-off heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″,42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″. Additionally, the valves 93′″, 95′″, 98′″, 99′″are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91′″ through the respective conduits 92′″, 94′″,97′″ to the heater core 28′″, the third fluid source 88′″, and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and the valve 106 is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102′″ through the conduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source88′″ circulates through the conduit 89′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24′″ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88′″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10′″ is in analternative engine-off heating mode, the first fluid from the firstfluid source 70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″ to thelayers 40′″, 42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″is closed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid fromthe second fluid source 80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. Additionally, the valves 93′″, 95′″,98′″, 99′″ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″ through the respective conduits92′″, 94′″, 96′″, 97′″ to the heater core 28′″, the third fluid source88′″, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. However, the thirdfluid from the third fluid source 88′″ circulates through the conduit89′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and the fifth fluidfrom the fifth fluid source 102′″ circulates through the conduit 104′″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The fifth fluid mixeswith the third fluid before, in, or after flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″. Accordingly, the air from the inletsection 16′″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″ where a temperatureof the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows from theevaporator core 24′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. Asthe air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, theair is heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energyfrom the mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid to the airflowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The mixtureof the third fluid and the fifth fluid then flows to the third fluidsource 88′″ and the fifth fluid source 102′″. In the third fluid source88′″, the mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid releasesthermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the third fluid source 88′″. In the fifth fluid source 102′″, themixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy tocool the fifth fluid source 102′″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′″ is in either the recirculation heating mode or another hotthermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70′″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″ to the layers 40′″,42′″ of the evaporator core 24′″. Similarly, the valve 86′″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80′″ through the conduit 82′″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″. Additionally, the valves 93′″, 95′″, 98′″, 99′″are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91′″ through the respective conduits 92′″, 94′″,96′″, 97′″ to the heater core 28′″, the third fluid source 88′″, and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. The valve 106′″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102′″ through the conduit 104′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source88′″ circulates through the conduit 89′″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″. Accordingly, a re-circulated air from a passengercompartment of the vehicle flow through the inlet section 16′″ and intothe evaporator core 24′″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The re-circulated air then flows from the evaporator core24′″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″. As the air flowsthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″, the re-circulatedair transfers thermal energy to the third fluid to heat the third fluid.The third fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88′″ and releasesthermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the third fluid source 88′″. The re-circulated air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″ to flow through the first passage 30′″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″.

FIG. 6 shows another an alternative embodiment of the HVAC systems 10,10′, 10″, 10′″ illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. Structure similar to thatillustrated in FIGS. 1-5 includes the same reference numeral and aquadruple prime (″″) symbol for clarity. In FIG. 6, the HVAC system 10″″is substantially similar to the HVAC systems 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″ except acondenser 402 of a heat pump system is disposed in the air flow conduit15″″ instead of a heater core.

The evaporator core 24″″ of the present invention, shown in FIG. 6, is amulti-layer louvered-fin thermal energy exchanger. In a non-limitingexample, the evaporator core 24″″ has a first layer 40″″, a second layer42″″, and a third layer 44″″ arranged substantially perpendicular to thedirection of flow through a module 12″″. Additional or fewer layers thanshown can be employed as desired. The layers 40″″, 42″″, 44″″ arearranged so the second layer 42″″ is disposed downstream of the firstlayer 40″″ and upstream of the third layer 44″″ in respect of thedirection of flow through the module 12″″. It is understood, however,that the layers 40″″, 42″″, 44″″ can be arranged as desired. The layers40″″, 42″″, 44″″ can be bonded together by any suitable method asdesired such as brazing and welding, for example.

The layers 40″″, 42″″ of the evaporator core 24″″, shown in FIG. 6, arein fluid communication with a first fluid source 70″″ via a conduit72″″. It is understood, however, that any of the layers 40″″, 42″″,44″″, alone or in combination, may be in fluid communication with thefirst fluid source 70″″ via the conduit 72″″ and configured to receivethe flow of the first fluid therein. The first fluid source 70″″includes a prime mover 74″″ such as a pump or a compressor, for example,to cause a first fluid to circulate therein. Each of the layers 40″″,42″″ shown is configured to receive a flow of the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70″″ therein. The first fluid absorbs thermal energyto condition the air flowing through the module 12″″ when a fuel-poweredengine of the vehicle, and thereby the prime mover 74″″, is inoperation. As a non-limiting example, the first fluid source 70″″ is arefrigeration circuit, and the first fluid is a refrigerant such asR134a, HFO-1234yf, AC-5, AC-6, and CO₂, for example. A valve 76″″ can bedisposed in the conduit 72′″ to selectively militate against the flow ofthe first fluid therethrough.

The HVAC system 10″″ of the present invention further includes aninternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ in fluid communication with asecond fluid source 80″″ via a conduit 82″″. The second fluid source80″″ includes a prime mover 84″″ (e.g. an electrical pump) to cause asecond fluid to circulate through the internal thermal energy exchanger78″″. As illustrated, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ is thethird layer 44″″ of the evaporator core 24″″. It is understood, however,that the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ may be any of the layers42″″, 44″″ of the evaporator core 24″″, alone or in combination, influid communication with the second fluid source 80″″ via the conduit82″″ and configured to receive the flow of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80″″ therein. In another particular embodiment, theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ is a separate thermal energyexchanger disposed downstream and spaced apart from the evaporator core24″″ and upstream of the blend door 34″″. It is understood that theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ can be any conventional thermalenergy exchanger as desired.

The second fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to condition the airflowing through the module 12″″. A valve 86″″ can be disposed in theconduit 82″″ to selectively militate against the flow of the secondfluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid source80″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM)therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the phase changematerial can be any suitable material that melts and solidifies atpredetermined temperatures and is capable of storing and releasingthermal energy such as organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids(e.g. a paraffin, a paraffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, aglycol), and the like, or any combination thereof, for example. Thephase change material can also be impregnated with a thermallyconductive material such as graphite powder, for example, to furtherenhance the transfer of thermal energy. As another non-limiting example,the second fluid source 80″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a coolanttherein. As another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80″″is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material coolant such asCryoSolplus, for example, therein. As yet another non-limiting example,the second fluid source 80″″ is an external thermal energy exchanger(e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger, a chiller, etc.) in fluidcommunication with at least one other system of the vehicle. It isunderstood that the external thermal energy exchanger may include aphase change material disposed therein if desired.

The internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ is also in fluidcommunication with a third fluid source 88″″ via a conduit 89″″ andconfigured to receive the flow of a third fluid from the third fluidsource 88″″ therein. The third fluid absorbs or releases thermal energyto cool the air flowing through the module 12″″. A valve 90″″ can bedisposed in the conduit 89″″ to selectively militate against the flow ofthe third fluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the third fluidsource 88″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material(PCM) therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the phasechange material can be any suitable material that melts and solidifiesat predetermined temperatures and is capable of storing and releasingthermal energy such as organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids(e.g. a paraffin, a paraffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, aglycol), and the like, or any combination thereof, for example. Thephase change material can also be impregnated with a thermallyconductive material such as graphite powder, for example, to furtherenhance the transfer of thermal energy. As another non-limiting example,the third fluid source 88″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a coolanttherein. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid source 88″″ isa fluid reservoir containing a phase change material coolant such asCryoSolplus, for example, therein. As yet another non-limiting example,the third fluid source 90″″ is an external thermal energy exchanger(e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger, a chiller, etc.) in fluidcommunication with at least one other system of the vehicle. It isunderstood that the external thermal energy exchanger may include aphase change material disposed therein if desired.

As shown, a fourth fluid source 91″″ is in fluid communication with anexternal thermal energy exchanger 404 via a conduit 92″″. The externalthermal energy exchanger 404 is configured to receive a flow of a fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″ therein. The fourth fluid source91″″ can be any conventional source of heated fluid such as thefuel-powered engine of the vehicle, for example, and the fourth fluidcan be any fluid such as a phase change material, a coolant, and a phasechange material coolant, for example. A valve 93″″ can be disposed inthe conduit 92″″ to selectively militate against the flow of the fourthfluid therethrough. In certain embodiments, the external thermal energyexchanger 404 is a chiller of a heat pump system. It is understood,however, that the external thermal energy exchanger 404 can be anyconventional thermal energy exchanger such as a shell and tube heatexchanger, a condenser, a chiller, and the like, for example. Asillustrated, the external thermal energy exchanger 404 is configured toreceive the flow of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″counter to a flow of a working fluid from another vehicle system thereinthrough the condenser 402 of a heat pump system disposed in the air flowconduit 15″″ via a conduit 406. In certain embodiments, the workingfluid is the first fluid (e.g. refrigerant) from the first fluid source70″″ (e.g. the refrigerant circuit) which has been discharged by theprime mover 74″″. The external thermal energy exchanger 404 isconfigured to facilitate an absorption of thermal energy by the fourthfluid to cool the working fluid flowing therethrough when thefuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation.

In certain embodiments, the external thermal energy exchanger 404 andthe fourth fluid source 91″″ are in fluid communication with the thirdfluid source 88″″ via a conduit 94″″. The fourth fluid releases thermalenergy from the fourth fluid to heat or charge the phase change materialcontained in the third fluid source 88″″. A valve 95″″ can be disposedin the conduit 94″″ to selectively militate against the flow of thefourth fluid therethrough.

The external thermal energy exchanger 404 and the fourth fluid source91″″ are also in fluid communication with the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″ via bypass conduits 96″″, 97″″. The internal thermalenergy exchanger 78″″ is configured to facilitate a release of thermalenergy from the fourth fluid to heat the air flowing therethrough.Accordingly, a size and capacity of the condenser 402 may be decreased,which may cause a decrease in air side pressure drop during heatingmodes of the HVAC system 10″″, as well as an increase in availablepackage space within the control module 12″″. Valves 98″″, 99″″ can bedisposed in the respective conduits 96″″, 97″″ to selectively militateagainst the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough. As a non-limitingexample, the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″″, the thirdfluid from the third fluid source 88″″, and the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91″″ are the same fluid types. It is understood,however, that the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″″, thethird fluid from the third fluid source 88″″, and the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91″″ may be different fluid types if desired.

In operation, the HVAC system 10″″ conditions air by heating or coolingthe air, and providing the conditioned air to the passenger compartmentof the vehicle. Air from the supply of air is received in housing 14″″and flows through the module 12″″.

In a cooling mode or an engine-off cooling mode of the HVAC system 10″″,the blend door 34″″ is positioned in one of a first position permittingair from the evaporator core 24″″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″ to only flow into the first passage 30″″, a secondposition permitting the air from the evaporator core 24″″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ to only flow into the secondpassage 32″″, and an intermediate position permitting the air from theevaporator core 24″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ toflow through both the first passage 30″″ and the second passage 32″″. Ina heating mode or an engine-off heating mode of the HVAC system 10″″,the blend door 34″″ is positioned either in the second positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24″″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″″ to only flow into the second passage 32″″and through the condenser 402 or in the intermediate position permittingthe air from the evaporator core 24″″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″ to flow through the first passage 30″″ and the secondpassage 32″″ and through the condenser 402. In a thermal energy chargemode or a recirculation heating mode of the HVAC system 10″″, the blenddoor 34″″ is positioned in one of the first position permitting the airfrom the evaporator core 24″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger78″″ to only flow into the first passage 30″″, the second positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24″″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″″ to only flow into the second passage 32″″,and the intermediate position permitting the air from the evaporatorcore 24″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ to flow throughboth the first passage 30″″ and/or the second passage 32″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10″″ is in either the cooling mode or the cold thermal energycharge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″″ circulatesthrough the conduit 72″″ to the layers 40″″, 42″″ of the evaporator core24″″. Additionally, the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″″circulates through the conduit 82″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″ (e.g. the third layer 44″″ of the evaporator core 24″″).However, the valve 90″″ is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88″″ through the conduit89″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and the valves 93″″,95″″, 98″″, 99″″ are closed to militate against the circulation of thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″ through the respectiveconduits 92″″, 94″″, 96″″, 97″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger404, the third fluid source 88″″, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″. Additionally, the working fluid is not permitted tocirculate through the condenser 402 and the external thermal energyexchanger 404 via the conduit 406. Accordingly, the air from the inletsection 16″″ flows into the evaporator core 24″″ where the air is cooledto a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the air tothe first fluid from the first fluid source 70″″. The conditioned airthen flows from the evaporator core 24″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″. As the conditioned air flows through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″″, the conditioned air absorbs thermalenergy from the second fluid. The transfer of thermal energy from thesecond fluid to the conditioned air cools the second fluid. The secondfluid then flows to the second fluid source 80″″ and absorbs thermalenergy to cool or charge the phase change material, the coolant, thephase change material coolant, or any combination thereof contained inthe second fluid source 80″″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34″″ to flow through the first passage 30″″ and/or thesecond passage 32″″. It is understood, however, that in otherembodiments the working fluid is permitted to circulate through theconduit 406 and through the condenser 402 to demist the conditioned airflowing through the second passage 32″″.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″″ is operating in thecooling mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″″circulates through the conduit 72″″ to the layers 40″″, 42″″ of theevaporator core 24″″. However, the valve 86″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80″″ through the conduit 82″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78″″. Additionally, the valve 90″″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″″ throughthe conduit 89″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and thevalves 93″″, 95″″, 98″″, 99″″ are closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″through the respective conduits 92″″, 94″″, 96″″, 97″″ to the externalthermal energy exchanger 404, the third fluid source 88″″, and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. Additionally, the working fluidis not permitted to circulate through the condenser 402 and the externalthermal energy exchanger 404 via the conduit 406. Accordingly, the airfrom the inlet section 16″″ flows into the evaporator core 24″″ wherethe air is cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermalenergy from the air to the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″″.The conditioned air then flows from the evaporator core 24″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. As the conditioned air flowsthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″, the temperature ofthe conditioned air is relatively unaffected. The conditioned air thenexits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34″″ to flow through the first passage 30″″and/or the second passage 32″″. It is understood, however, that in otherembodiments the working fluid is permitted to circulate through theconduit and through the condenser 402 to demist the conditioned airflowing through the second passage 32″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is not in operation and theHVAC system 10″″ is in the engine-off cooling mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″″to the layers 40″″, 42″″ of the evaporator core 24″″. However, thesecond fluid from the second fluid source 80″″ circulates through theconduit 82″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″.Additionally, the valve 90″″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″″ throughthe conduit 89″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and thevalves 93″″, 95″″, 98″″, 99″″ are closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″through the respective conduits 92″″, 94″″, 96″″, 97″″ to the externalthermal energy exchanger 404, the third fluid source 88″″, and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16″″ flows through the evaporator core 24″″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″.As the air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″, theair is cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energyfrom the air to the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″″. Theconditioned air then exits the thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and isselectively permitted by the blend door 34″″ to flow through the firstpassage 30″″ and/or the second passage 32″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10″″ is in the heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″″ to the layers40″″, 42″″ of the evaporator core 24″″. Similarly, the valve 86″″ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the second fluid from thesecond fluid source 80″″ through the conduit 82″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″″, the valve 90″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the third fluid from the third fluid source88″″ through the conduit 89″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78″″, and the valves 95″″, 98″″, 99″″ are closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″through the respective conduits 94″″, 96″″, 97″″ to the third fluidsource 88″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. However, thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″ circulates through theconduit 92″″ and through the external thermal energy exchanger 404, andthe working fluid circulates through the condenser 402 and the externalthermal energy exchanger 404 visa the conduit 406. Within the externalthermal energy exchanger 404, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energyfrom the working fluid flowing therethrough. Accordingly, the air fromthe inlet section 16″″ flows through the evaporator core 24″″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The unconditioned air then exits the evaporatorcore 24″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and isselectively permitted by the blend door 34″″ to flow through the firstpassage 30″″ and/or the second passage 32″″ through the condenser 402 tobe heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72″″ to the layers 40″″, 42″″ of the evaporator core24″″. Similarly, the valve 86″″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″″through the conduit 82″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″.However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″″ circulatesthrough the conduit 89″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″.Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″circulates through the conduit 92″″ and through the external thermalenergy exchanger 404, and the working fluid circulates through thecondenser 402 to the external thermal energy exchanger 404 via theconduit 406. Within the external thermal energy exchanger 404, thefourth fluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowingtherethrough. However, the valves 95″″, 98″″, 99″″ are closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91″″ through the respective conduits 94″″, 96″″, 97″″ tothe third fluid source 88″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger78″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16″″ flows through theevaporator core 24″″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88″″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34″″ to flow through the first passage 30″″ and/or thesecond passage 32″″ through the condenser 402 to be further heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″″ is in the heating mode,the first fluid from the first fluid source 70″″ does not circulatethrough the conduit 72″″ to the layers 40″″, 42″″ of the evaporator core24″″. Similarly, the valve 86″″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the second fluid from the second fluid source 80″″through the conduit 82″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″,the valve 90″″ is closed to militate against the circulation of thethird fluid from the third fluid source 88″″ through the conduit 89″″ tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″, and the valve 95″″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from theexternal thermal energy exchanger 404 to the third fluid source 88″″through the conduit 94″″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91″″ circulates through the external thermal energyexchanger 404, through the conduit 96″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″, and through the conduit 97″″ to return to the fourthfluid source 91″″. The working fluid circulates through the condenser402 to the external thermal energy exchanger 404 via the conduit 406.Within the external thermal energy exchanger 404, the fourth fluidabsorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. Assuch, the fourth fluid is desirably heated before flowing into theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16″″ flows through the evaporator core 24″″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″.As the air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″, theair is heated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energyfrom the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91″″ to the airflowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34″″ to flow through thefirst passage 30″″ and/or the second passage 32″″ through the condenser402 to be further heated to a desired temperature.

In yet other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10″″ is in either theheating mode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″″to the layers 40″″, 42″″ of the evaporator core 24″″. Similarly, thevalve 86″″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80″″ through the conduit 82″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and the valves 98″″, 99″″ areclosed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91″″ through the respective conduits 96″″, 97″″ tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. However, the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91″″ circulates through the externalthermal energy exchanger 404, through the conduit 94″″ to the thirdfluid source 88″″, and through the conduit 89″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78″″. The working fluid circulates through thecondenser 402 and the external thermal energy exchanger 404 via theconduit 406. Within the external thermal energy exchanger 404, thefourth fluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowingtherethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heated before flowing intothe third fluid source 88″″. The fourth fluid mixes with the third fluidbefore, in, or after flowing through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16″″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24″″ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24″″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture ofthe third fluid and the fourth fluid to the air flowing through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. The mixture of the third fluidand the fourth fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88″″ and thefourth fluid source 91″″. In the third fluid source 88″″, the mixture ofthe third fluid and the fourth fluid releases thermal energy to heat orcharge the phase change material, the coolant, the phase change materialcoolant, or any combination thereof contained in the third fluid source88″″. The conditioned air then exits the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″ and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34″″ toflow through the first passage 30″″ and/or the second passage 32″″through the condenser 402 to be further heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10″″ is in theengine-off heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″″ to the layers 40″″,42″″ of the evaporator core 24″″. Similarly, the valve 86″″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80″″ through the conduit 82″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78″″. Additionally, the valves 93″″, 95″″, 98″″, 99″″are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91″″ through the respective conduits 92″″, 94″″,96″″, 97″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger 404, the third fluidsource 88″″, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″.Additionally, the working fluid is not permitted to circulate throughthe condenser 402 and the external thermal energy exchanger 404 via theconduit 406. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″″circulates through the conduit 89″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16″″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24″″ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24″″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88″″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78″″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78″″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34″″ to flow through the first passage 30″″ and/or thesecond passage 32″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10″″ is in either the recirculation heating mode or another hotthermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72″″ to the layers 40″″,42″″ of the evaporator core 24″″. Similarly, the valve 86″″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80″″ through the conduit 82″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78″″. Additionally, the valves 93″″, 95″″, 98″″, 99″″are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid fromthe fourth fluid source 91″″ through the respective conduits 92″″, 94″″,96″″, 97″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger 404, the third fluidsource 88″″, and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. However,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88″″ circulates through theconduit 89″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78″″. Accordingly,a re-circulated air from a passenger compartment of the vehicle flowthrough the inlet section 16″″ and into the evaporator core 24″″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The re-circulated airthen flows from the evaporator core 24″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″. As the air flows through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″, the re-circulated air transfers thermal energy to thethird fluid to heat the third fluid. The third fluid then flows to thethird fluid source 88″″ and releases thermal energy to heat or chargethe phase change material, the coolant, the phase change materialcoolant, or any combination thereof contained in the third fluid source88″″. The re-circulated air then exits the internal thermal energyexchanger 78″″ and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34″″ toflow through the first passage 30″″ and/or the second passage 32″″.

FIG. 7 shows another an alternative embodiment of the HVAC systems 10,10′, 10″, 10′″, 10″″ illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3-6. Structure similarto that illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 includes the same reference numeral anda quintuple prime (′″″) symbol for clarity. In FIG. 7, the HVAC system10′″″ is substantially similar to the HVAC systems 10, 10′, 10″, 10′″,10″″ except a condenser 402′″″ of a heat pump system is disposed in theair flow conduit 15′″″ instead of a heater core.

The evaporator core 24′″″ of the present invention, shown in FIG. 7, isa multi-layer louvered-fin thermal energy exchanger. In a non-limitingexample, the evaporator core 24′″″ has a first layer 40′″″, a secondlayer 42′″″, and a third layer 44′″″ arranged substantiallyperpendicular to the direction of flow through a module 12′″″.Additional or fewer layers than shown can be employed as desired. Thelayers 40′″″, 42′″″, 44′″″ are arranged so the second layer 42′″″ isdisposed downstream of the first layer 40′″″ and upstream of the thirdlayer 44′″″ in respect of the direction of flow through the module12′″″. It is understood, however, that the layers 40′″″, 42′″″, 44′″″can be arranged as desired. The layers 40′″″, 42′″″, 44′″″ can be bondedtogether by any suitable method as desired such as brazing and welding,for example.

The layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″, shown in FIG. 7,are in fluid communication with a first fluid source 70′″″ via a conduit72′″″. It is understood, however, that any of the layers 40′″″, 42′″″,44′″″, alone or in combination, may be in fluid communication with thefirst fluid source 70′″″ via the conduit 72′″″ and configured to receivethe flow of the first fluid therein. The first fluid source 70′″″includes a prime mover 74′″″ such as a pump or a compressor, forexample, to cause a first fluid to circulate therein. Each of the layers40′″″, 42′″″ shown is configured to receive a flow of the first fluidfrom the first fluid source 70′″″ therein. The first fluid absorbsthermal energy to condition the air flowing through the module 12′″″when a fuel-powered engine of the vehicle, and thereby the prime mover74′″″, is in operation. As a non-limiting example, the first fluidsource 70′″″ is a refrigeration circuit, and the first fluid is arefrigerant such as R134a, HFO-1234yf, AC-5, AC-6, and CO₂, for example.A valve 76′″″ can be disposed in the conduit 72′″″ to selectivelymilitate against the flow of the first fluid therethrough.

The HVAC system 10′″″ of the present invention further includes aninternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ in fluid communication with asecond fluid source 80′″″ via a conduit 82′″″. The second fluid source80′″″ includes a prime mover 84′″″ (e.g. an electrical pump) to cause asecond fluid to circulate through the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. As illustrated, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ isthe third layer 44′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″. It is understood,however, that the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ may be any ofthe layers 42′″″, 44′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″, alone or incombination, in fluid communication with the second fluid source 80′″″via the conduit 82′″″ and configured to receive the flow of the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′″″ therein. In another particularembodiment, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ is a separatethermal energy exchanger disposed downstream and spaced apart from theevaporator core 24′″″ and upstream of the blend door 34′″″. It isunderstood that the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ can be anyconventional thermal energy exchanger as desired.

The second fluid absorbs or releases thermal energy to condition the airflowing through the module 12′″″. A valve 86′″″ can be disposed in theconduit 82′″″ to selectively militate against the flow of the secondfluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the second fluid source80′″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material (PCM)therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the phase changematerial can be any suitable material that melts and solidifies atpredetermined temperatures and is capable of storing and releasingthermal energy such as organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionic liquids(e.g. a paraffin, a paraffin wax, an alcohol, water, a polygycol, aglycol), and the like, or any combination thereof, for example. Thephase change material can also be impregnated with a thermallyconductive material such as graphite powder, for example, to furtherenhance the transfer of thermal energy. As another non-limiting example,the second fluid source 80′″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a coolanttherein. As another non-limiting example, the second fluid source 80′″″is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material coolant such asCryoSolplus, for example, therein. As yet another non-limiting example,the second fluid source 80′″″ is an external thermal energy exchanger(e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger, a chiller, etc.) in fluidcommunication with at least one other system of the vehicle. It isunderstood that the external thermal energy exchanger may include aphase change material disposed therein if desired.

The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ is also in fluidcommunication with a third fluid source 88′″″ via a conduit 89′″″ andconfigured to receive the flow of a third fluid from the third fluidsource 88′″″ therein. The third fluid absorbs or releases thermal energyto cool the air flowing through the module 12′″″. A valve 90′″″ can bedisposed in the conduit 89′″″ to selectively militate against the flowof the third fluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the thirdfluid source 88′″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a phase changematerial (PCM) therein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe phase change material can be any suitable material that melts andsolidifies at predetermined temperatures and is capable of storing andreleasing thermal energy such as organic, inorganic, eutectic and ionicliquids (e.g. a paraffin, a paraffin wax, an alcohol, water, apolygycol, a glycol), and the like, or any combination thereof, forexample. The phase change material can also be impregnated with athermally conductive material such as graphite powder, for example, tofurther enhance the transfer of thermal energy. As another non-limitingexample, the third fluid source 88′″″ is a fluid reservoir containing acoolant therein. As another non-limiting example, the third fluid source88′″″ is a fluid reservoir containing a phase change material coolantsuch as CryoSolplus, for example, therein. As yet another non-limitingexample, the third fluid source 90′″″ is an external thermal energyexchanger (e.g. a shell and tube heat exchanger, a chiller, etc.) influid communication with at least one other system of the vehicle. It isunderstood that the external thermal energy exchanger may include aphase change material disposed therein if desired.

As shown, a fourth fluid source 91′″″ is in fluid communication with anexternal thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via a conduit 92′″″. Theexternal thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ is configured to receive a flowof a fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ therein. The fourthfluid source 91′″″ can be any conventional source of heated fluid suchas the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle, for example, and the fourthfluid can be any fluid such as a phase change material, a coolant, and aphase change material coolant, for example. A valve 93′″″ can bedisposed in the conduit 92′″″ to selectively militate against the flowof the fourth fluid therethrough. In certain embodiments, the externalthermal energy exchanger 404′″″ is a chiller of a heat pump system. Itis understood, however, that the external thermal energy exchanger404′″″ can be any convention thermal energy exchanger such as a shelland tube heat exchanger, a condenser, a chiller, and the like, forexample. As illustrated, the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ isconfigured to receive the flow of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91′″″ counter to a flow of a working fluid from another vehiclesystem therein through the condenser 402′″″ of a heat pump systemdisposed in the air flow conduit 15′″″ via conduit 406′″″. In certainembodiments, the working fluid is the first fluid (e.g. refrigerant)from the first fluid source 70′″″ (e.g. the refrigerant circuit) whichhas been discharged by the prime mover 74′″″. The external thermalenergy exchanger 404′″″ is configured to facilitate an absorption ofthermal energy by the fourth fluid to cool the working fluid flowingtherethrough when the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is inoperation.

In certain embodiments, the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ andthe fourth fluid source 91′″″ are in fluid communication with the thirdfluid source 88′″″ via a conduit 94′″″. The fourth fluid releasesthermal energy from the fourth fluid to heat or charge the phase changematerial contained in the third fluid source 88′″″. A valve 95′″″ can bedisposed in the conduit 94′″″ to selectively militate against the flowof the fourth fluid therethrough.

The external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ and the fourth fluid source91′″″ are also in fluid communication with the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″ via bypass conduits 96′″″, ′″″. The internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″ is configured to facilitate a release of thermalenergy from the fourth fluid to heat the air flowing therethrough.Accordingly, a size and capacity of the condenser 402′″″ may bedecreased, which may cause a decrease in air side pressure drop duringheating modes of the HVAC system 10′″″, as well as an increase inavailable package space within the control module 12′″″. Valves 98′″″,99′″″ can be disposed in the respective conduits 96′″″, 97′″″ toselectively militate against the flow of the fourth fluid therethrough.As a non-limiting example, the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″″, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″, and the fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ are the same fluid types. It isunderstood, however, that the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″″, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″, and the fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ may be different fluid types ifdesired.

As shown, the HVAC system 10′″″ further includes a fifth fluid source102′″″. The internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ is in fluidcommunication with the fifth fluid source 102′″″ via a conduit 104′″″.The fifth fluid source 102′″″ can be any conventional vehicle systemsuch as a battery system of the vehicle, for example, and the fifthfluid can be any fluid such as a phase change material, a coolant, and aphase change material coolant, for example. The fifth fluid source102′″″ is configured to receive a flow of the fifth fluid therein. Incertain embodiments, the fifth fluid flowing through the fifth fluidsource 102′″″ absorbs thermal energy to cool at least a portion of thefifth fluid source 102′″″ (e.g. a battery cell). Accordingly, theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ is configured to facilitate anabsorption of thermal energy from the fifth fluid by the air flowingtherethrough to cool the fifth fluid. In other embodiments, the fifthfluid flowing through the fifth fluid source 102′″″ releases thermalenergy to heat at least a portion of the fifth fluid source 102′″″ (e.g.a battery cell). As such, the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ isconfigured to facilitate a release of thermal energy from the airflowing therethrough to heat the fifth fluid. A valve 106′″″ can bedisposed in the conduit 104′″″ to selectively militate against the flowof the fifth fluid therethrough. As a non-limiting example, the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′″″ and the fifth fluid from thefifth fluid source 102′″″ are the same fluid types. It is understood,however, that the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″″ andthe fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″″ may be differentfluid types if desired.

In operation, the HVAC system 10′″″ conditions air by heating or coolingthe air, and providing the conditioned air to the passenger compartmentof the vehicle. Air from the supply of air is received in housing 14′″″and flows through the module 12′″″.

In a cooling mode or an engine-off cooling mode of the HVAC system10′″″, the blend door 34′″″ is positioned in one of a first positionpermitting air from the evaporator core 24′″″ and the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″ to only flow into the first passage 30′″″, asecond position permitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″″ andthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ to only flow into the secondpassage 32′″″, and an intermediate position permitting the air from theevaporator core 24′″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ toflow through both the first passage 30′″″ and the second passage 32′″″.In a heating mode or an engine-off heating mode of the HVAC system10′″″, the blend door 34′″″ is positioned either in the second positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″ to only flow into the second passage32′″″ and through the condenser 402′″″ or in the intermediate positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″and the second passage 32′″″ and through the condenser 402′″″. In athermal energy charge mode or a recirculation heating mode of the HVACsystem 10′″″, the blend door 34′″″ is positioned in one of the firstposition permitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ to only flow into the firstpassage 30′″″, the second position permitting the air from theevaporator core 24′″″ and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ toonly flow into the second passage 32′″″, and the intermediate positionpermitting the air from the evaporator core 24′″″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″ to flow through both the first passage30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′″″ is in either the cooling mode or the cold thermal energycharge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″″circulates through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of theevaporator core 24′″″. Additionally, the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80′″″ circulates through the conduit 82′″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″ (e.g. the third layer 44′″″ of theevaporator core 24′″″). However, the valve 90′″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the third fluid from the third fluid source88′″″ through the conduit 89′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″, the valves 93′″″, 95′″″, 98′″″, 99′″″ are closed to militateagainst the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′″″ through the respective conduits 92′″″, 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to theexternal thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, the third fluid source 88′″″,and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, and the valve 106′″″ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from thefifth fluid source 102′″″ through the conduit 104′″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the working fluid is notpermitted to circulate through the condenser 402′″″ to the externalthermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Accordingly, theair from the inlet section 16′″″ flows into the evaporator core 24′″″where the air is cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer ofthermal energy from the air to the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70′″″. The conditioned air then flows from the evaporator core24′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the conditionedair flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, theconditioned air absorbs thermal energy from the second fluid. Thetransfer of thermal energy from the second fluid to the conditioned aircools the second fluid. The second fluid then flows to the second fluidsource 80′″″ and absorbs thermal energy to cool or charge the phasechange material, the coolant, the phase change material coolant, or anycombination thereof contained in the second fluid source 80′″″. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′″″ to flow through thefirst passage 30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″. It is understood,however, that in other embodiments the working fluid is permitted tocirculate through the conduit 406′″″ and through the condenser 402′″″ todemist the conditioned air flowing through the second passage 32′″″.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is operating in thecooling mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″″circulates through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of theevaporator core 24′″″. However, the valve 86′″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. Additionally, the valve 90′″″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ throughthe conduit 89 to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, thevalves 93′″″, 95′″″, 98′″″, 99′″″ are closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″through the respective conduits 92′″″, 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to theexternal thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, the third fluid source 88′″″,and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, and the valve 106′″″ isclosed to militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from thefifth fluid source 102′″″ through the conduit 104′″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the working fluid is notpermitted to circulate through the condenser 402′″″ to the externalthermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Accordingly, theair from the inlet section 16′″″ flows into the evaporator core 24′″″where the air is cooled to a desired temperature by a transfer ofthermal energy from the air to the first fluid from the first fluidsource 70′″″. The conditioned air then flows from the evaporator core24′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the conditionedair flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, thetemperature of the conditioned air is relatively unaffected. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′″″ to flow through thefirst passage 30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″. It is understood,however, that in other embodiments the working fluid is permitted tocirculate through the conduit 406′″″ and through the condenser 402′″″ todemist the conditioned air flowing through the second passage 32′″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is not in operation and theHVAC system 10′″″ is in the engine-off cooling mode, the first fluidfrom the first fluid source 70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″. However,the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″″ circulates throughthe conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Thevalve 90′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the thirdfluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ through the conduit 89′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the valves 93′″″, 95′″″, 98′″″,99′″″ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″″ through the respective conduits92′″″, 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger404′″″, the third fluid source 88′″″, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″, and the valve 106′″″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″″through the conduit 104′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″″ flows throughthe evaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the air is cooled to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the air to the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′″″. The conditioned air then exitsthe thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted by theblend door 34′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′″″ is in the heating mode, the first fluid from the firstfluid source 70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″″ to thelayers 40′″″, 42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve86′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the second fluidfrom the second fluid source 80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the valve 90′″″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the third fluid from the third fluidsource 88′″″ through the conduit 89′″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″, and the valves 95′″″, 98′″″, 99′″″ are closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″″ through the respective conduits 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″to the third fluid source 88′″″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source91′″″ circulates through the conduit 92′″″ and through the externalthermal energy exchanger 404′″″, and the working fluid circulatesthrough the condenser 402′″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Within the external thermal energyexchanger 404′″″, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy from theworking fluid flowing therethrough. The valve 106′″″ is closed tomilitate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102′″″ through the conduit 104′″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24′″″ and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″ where a temperature of the air is relatively unaffected.The unconditioned air then exits the evaporator core 24′″″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″″ through the condenser 402′″″ to be heated to adesired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in the heatingmode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″″ does notcirculate through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of theevaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″circulates through the conduit 89′″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluidsource 91′″″ circulates through the conduit 92′″″ and through theexternal thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, and the working fluidcirculates through the condenser 402′″″ to the external thermal energyexchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Within the external thermalenergy exchanger 404′″″, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy fromthe working fluid flowing therethrough. However, the valves 95′″″,98′″″, 99′″″ are closed to militate against the circulation of thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ through the respectiveconduits 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to the third fluid source 88′″″ and theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and the valve 106′″″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifthfluid source 102′″″ through the conduit 104′″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section16′″″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of theair is relatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporatorcore 24′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the airflows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the air isheated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from thethird fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ to the air flowing throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The conditioned air thenexits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectivelypermitted by the blend door 34′″″ to flow through the first passage30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″ through the condenser 402′″″ to befurther heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in the heatingmode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″″ does notcirculate through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of theevaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″, the valve 90′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ through the conduit89′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, and the valves95′″″, 98′″″, 99′″″ are closed to militate against the circulation ofthe fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ through the conduits94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to the third fluid source 88′″″ and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. However, the fourth fluid from thefourth fluid source 91′″″ circulates through the conduit 92′″″ andthrough the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, and the workingfluid circulates through the condenser 402′″″ to the external thermalenergy exchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Within the externalthermal energy exchanger 404′″″, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energyfrom the working fluid flowing therethrough. The fifth fluid from thefifth fluid source 102′″″ circulates through the conduit 104′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, the air from theinlet section 16′″″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. As the air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″, the air is heated to a desired temperature by a transfer ofthermal energy from the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″″to the air flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″.The transfer of thermal energy from the fifth fluid to the conditionedair cools the fifth fluid. The fifth fluid then flows to the fifth fluidsource 102′″″ and absorbs thermal energy to cool the fifth fluid source102′″″. The conditioned air then exits the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′″″ toflow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″through the condenser 402′″″ to be further heated to a desiredtemperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in the heatingmode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″″ does notcirculate through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of theevaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″, the valve 90′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ through the conduit89′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, and the valve95′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″″ through the conduit 94′″″ to thethird fluid source 88′″″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″″ circulates through the external thermal energyexchanger 404′″″, through the conduit 96′″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″, and through the conduit 97′″″ to return to thefourth fluid source 91′″″. The working fluid circulates through thecondenser 402′″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via theconduit 406′″″. Within the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, thefourth fluid absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowingtherethrough. As such, the fourth fluid is heated before flowing intothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The valve 106′″″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifthfluid source 102′″″ through the conduit 104′″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section16′″″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of theair is relatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporatorcore 24′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the airflows through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the air isheated to a desired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from thefourth fluid to the air flowing through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. The conditioned air then exits the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted by the blend door34′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or the second passage32′″″ through the condenser 402′″″ to be further heated to a desiredtemperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in the heatingmode, the first fluid from the first fluid source 70′″″ does notcirculate through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of theevaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closed to militateagainst the circulation of the second fluid from the second fluid source80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″, the valve 90′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation ofthe third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ through the conduit tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the valve 95′″″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the fourth fluid from the fourthfluid source 91′″″ through the conduit 94′″″ to the third fluid source88′″″. However, the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″circulates through the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ andthrough the conduit 96′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″, and through the conduit 97′″″ to return to the fourth fluidsource 91′″″. The working fluid circulates through the condenser 402′″″to the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″.Within the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, the fourth fluidabsorbs thermal energy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. Assuch, the fourth fluid is heated before flowing into the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102′″″ circulates through the conduit 104′″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The fifth fluid mixes with the fourthfluid before, in, or after flowing through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture ofthe fourth fluid and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The mixture of the fourth fluidand the fifth fluid then flows to the fourth fluid source 88′″″ and thefifth fluid source 102′″″. In the fourth fluid source 88′″″, the mixtureof the fourth fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy to coolthe fourth fluid source 91′″″. In the fifth fluid source 102′″″, themixture of the fourth fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energyto cool the fifth fluid source 102′″″. The conditioned air then exitsthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permittedby the blend door 34′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″ and/orthe second passage 32′″″ through the condenser 402′″″ to be furtherheated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is either the heatingmode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from thefirst fluid source 70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″″ tothe layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, thevalve 86′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the secondfluid from the second fluid source 80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. However, the third fluidfrom the third fluid source 88′″″ circulates through the conduit 89′″″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ circulates through the conduit92′″″ and through the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, and theworking fluid circulates through the condenser 402′″″ to the externalthermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Within theexternal thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, the fourth fluid absorbsthermal energy from the working fluid flowing therethrough. However, thevalves 95′″″, 98′″″, 99′″″ are closed to militate against thecirculation of the fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″through the conduits 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to the third fluid source 88′″″and the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The fifth fluid fromthe fifth fluid source 102′″″ circulates through the conduit 104′″″ tothe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The fifth fluid mixes withthe third fluid before, in, or after flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inletsection 16′″″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″″ where atemperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air then flows fromthe evaporator core 24′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. As the air flows through the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″, the air is heated to a desired temperature by a transfer ofthermal energy from the mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluidto the air flowing through the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″.The mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid then flows to thethird fluid source 88′″″ and the fifth fluid source 102′″″. In the thirdfluid source 88′″″, the mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluidreleases thermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, thecoolant, the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereofcontained in the third fluid source 88′″″. In the fifth fluid source102′″″, the mixture of the third fluid and the fifth fluid absorbsthermal energy to cool the fifth fluid source 102′″″. The conditionedair then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and isselectively permitted by the blend door 34′″″ to flow through the firstpassage 30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″ through the condenser402′″″ to be further heated to a desired temperature.

In yet other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in either theheating mode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″.Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closed to militate against the circulationof the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″″ through theconduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. However,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ circulates through theconduit 89′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and thefourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ circulates through theexternal thermal energy exchanger 404′″″, through the conduit 94′″″ tothe third fluid source 88′″″, and through the conduit 89′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the working fluidcirculates through the condenser 402′″″ to the external thermal energyexchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Within the external thermalenergy exchanger 404′″″, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy fromthe working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, the fourth fluid isheated before flowing into the third fluid source 88′″″. The fourthfluid mixes with the third fluid before, in, or after flowing throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The valve 106′″″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the fifth fluid from the fifthfluid source 102′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″.Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″″ flows through theevaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture of thethird fluid and the fourth fluid to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The mixture of the third fluid and thefourth fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88′″″ and the fourthfluid source 91′″″. In the third fluid source 88′″″, the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″″ and/or the mixture of the third fluidand the fourth fluid releases thermal energy to heat or charge the phasechange material, the coolant, the phase change material coolant, or anycombination thereof contained in the third fluid source 88′″″. In thefourth fluid source 91′″″, the mixture of the third fluid and the fourthfluid absorbs thermal energy to cool the fourth fluid source 91′″″. Theconditioned air then exits the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′″″ to flow through thefirst passage 30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″ through thecondenser 402′″″ to be further heated to a desired temperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in either theheating mode or the hot thermal energy charge mode, the first fluid fromthe first fluid source 70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit72′″″ to the layers 40′″″, 42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″.Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closed to militate against the circulationof the second fluid from the second fluid source 80′″″ through theconduit 82′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. However,the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ circulates through theconduit 89′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The fourthfluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ circulates through the externalthermal energy exchanger 404′″″, through the conduit 94′″″ to the thirdfluid source 88′″″, and through the conduit 89′″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the working fluidcirculates through the condenser 402′″″ to the external thermal energyexchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. Within the external thermalenergy exchanger 404′″″, the fourth fluid absorbs thermal energy fromthe working fluid flowing therethrough. As such, the fourth fluid isheated before flowing into the third fluid source 88′″″. The fifth fluidfrom the fifth fluid source 102′″″ circulates through the conduit 104′″″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The third fluid, thefourth fluid, and the fifth fluid mix before, in, or after flowingthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, theair from the inlet section 16′″″ flows through the evaporator core 24′″″where a temperature of the air is relatively unaffected. The air thenflows from the evaporator core 24′″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. As the air flows through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″, the air is heated to a desired temperature by atransfer of thermal energy from the mixture of the third fluid, thefourth fluid, and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The mixture of the third fluid,the fourth fluid, and the fifth fluid then flows to the third fluidsource 88′″″, the fourth fluid source 91′″″, and the fifth fluid source102′″″. In the third fluid source 88′″″, the mixture of the third fluid,the fourth fluid, and the fifth fluid releases thermal energy to heat orcharge the phase change material, the coolant, the phase change materialcoolant, or any combination thereof contained in the third fluid source88′″″. The conditioned air then exits the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted by the blend door 34′″″ toflow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or the second passage 32′″″through the condenser 402′″″ to be further heated to a desiredtemperature.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in theengine-off heating mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″,42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the valves 93′″″, 95′″″, 98′″″,99′″″ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″″ through the respective conduits92′″″, 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger404′″″, the third fluid source 88′″″, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″ and the valve 106 is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″″through the conduit 104′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. The working fluid does not circulate through the condenser 402′″″to the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″.However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″ circulatesthrough the conduit 89′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″″ flows throughthe evaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the air flows through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the air is heated to a desiredtemperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the third fluid fromthe third fluid source 88′″″ to the air flowing through the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The conditioned air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″″.

In other certain embodiments, when the fuel-powered engine of thevehicle is not in operation and the HVAC system 10′″″ is in analternative engine-off heating mode, the first fluid from the firstfluid source 70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″″ to thelayers 40′″″, 42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve86′″″ is closed to militate against the circulation of the second fluidfrom the second fluid source 80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the valves 93′″″,95′″″, 98′″″, 99′″″ are closed to militate against the circulation ofthe fourth fluid from the fourth fluid source 91′″″ through therespective conduits 92′″″, 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to the external thermalenergy exchanger 404′″″, the third fluid source 88′″″, and the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The working fluid does not circulatethrough the condenser 402′″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger404′″″ via the conduit 406′″″. However, the third fluid from the thirdfluid source 88′″″ circulates through the conduit 89′″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and the fifth fluid from the fifth fluidsource 102′″″ circulates through the conduit 104′″″ to the internalthermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The fifth fluid mixes with the thirdfluid before, in, or after flowing through the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, the air from the inlet section 16′″″ flowsthrough the evaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of the air isrelatively unaffected. The air then flows from the evaporator core 24′″″to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the air flows throughthe internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the air is heated to adesired temperature by a transfer of thermal energy from the mixture ofthe third fluid and the fifth fluid to the air flowing through theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. The mixture of the third fluidand the fifth fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88′″″ and thefifth fluid source 102′″″. In the third fluid source 88′″″, the mixtureof the third fluid and the fifth fluid releases thermal energy to heator charge the phase change material, the coolant, the phase changematerial coolant, or any combination thereof contained in the thirdfluid source 88′″″. In the fifth fluid source 102′″″, the mixture of thethird fluid and the fifth fluid absorbs thermal energy to cool the fifthfluid source 102′″″. The conditioned air then exits the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted by the blend door34′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or the second passage32′″″.

When the fuel-powered engine of the vehicle is in operation and the HVACsystem 10′″″ is in either the recirculation heating mode or another hotthermal energy charge mode, the first fluid from the first fluid source70′″″ does not circulate through the conduit 72′″″ to the layers 40′″″,42′″″ of the evaporator core 24′″″. Similarly, the valve 86′″″ is closedto militate against the circulation of the second fluid from the secondfluid source 80′″″ through the conduit 82′″″ to the internal thermalenergy exchanger 78′″″. Additionally, the valves 93′″″, 95′″″, 98′″″,99′″″ are closed to militate against the circulation of the fourth fluidfrom the fourth fluid source 91′″″ through the respective conduits92′″″, 94′″″, 96′″″, 97′″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger404′″″, the third fluid source 88′″″, and the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. The working fluid does not circulate through thecondenser 402′″″ to the external thermal energy exchanger 404′″″ via theconduit 406′″″. The valve 106′″″ is closed to militate against thecirculation of the fifth fluid from the fifth fluid source 102′″″through the conduit 104′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger78′″″. However, the third fluid from the third fluid source 88′″″circulates through the conduit 89′″″ to the internal thermal energyexchanger 78′″″. Accordingly, a re-circulated air from a passengercompartment of the vehicle flow through the inlet section 16′″″ and intothe evaporator core 24′″″ where a temperature of the air is relativelyunaffected. The re-circulated air then flows from the evaporator core24′″″ to the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″. As the air flowsthrough the internal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″, the re-circulatedair transfers thermal energy to the third fluid to heat the third fluid.The third fluid then flows to the third fluid source 88′″″ and releasesthermal energy to heat or charge the phase change material, the coolant,the phase change material coolant, or any combination thereof containedin the third fluid source 88′″″. The re-circulated air then exits theinternal thermal energy exchanger 78′″″ and is selectively permitted bythe blend door 34′″″ to flow through the first passage 30′″″ and/or thesecond passage 32′″″.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usagesand conditions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning(HVAC) system for a vehicle, comprising: a control module including ahousing having an air flow conduit formed therein, the air flow conduitin fluid communication with a passenger compartment of the vehicle; anevaporator core disposed in the air flow conduit, at least a portion ofthe evaporator core configured to receive a first fluid from a firstfluid source; and a thermal energy exchanger disposed in the air flowconduit downstream of the at least a portion the evaporator core, thethermal energy exchanger configured to receive a second fluid from asecond fluid source and a third fluid from a third fluid source, whereinthe first fluid and the second fluid are different fluid types, andwherein the second fluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of airthrough the air flow conduit and the third fluid releases thermal energyto the flow of air through the air flow conduit.
 2. The HVAC system ofclaim 1, wherein the thermal energy exchanger is one of another portionof the evaporator core and separate from the evaporator core.
 3. TheHVAC system of claim 1, wherein the first fluid source is a refrigerantcircuit of the vehicle.
 4. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein thesecond fluid source is one of an external thermal energy exchanger and afluid reservoir containing at least one of a phase change material, acoolant, and a phase change material coolant.
 5. The HVAC system ofclaim 1, wherein the third fluid source is one of an external thermalenergy exchanger and a fluid reservoir containing at least one of aphase change material, a coolant, and a phase change material coolant.6. The HVAC system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of afourth fluid source and a fifth fluid source in fluid communication withthe thermal energy exchanger.
 7. The HVAC system of claim 6, wherein thefourth fluid source is a fuel-powered engine of the vehicle.
 8. The HVACsystem of claim 6, wherein the fifth fluid source is a battery system ofthe vehicle.
 9. The HVAC system of claim 6, further comprising a heatercore disposed in the air flow conduit, wherein the heater core is influid communication with the fourth fluid source.
 10. The HVAC system ofclaim 9, further comprising an external thermal energy exchanger influid communication with at least one of the heater core, the thermalenergy exchanger, the third fluid source, and the fourth fluid source.11. The HVAC system of claim 10, further comprising a condenser disposedin the air flow conduit.
 12. The HVAC system of claim 11, wherein thecondenser is in fluid communication with the external thermal energyexchanger.
 13. A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)system for a vehicle, comprising: a control module including a housinghaving an air flow conduit formed therein, the air flow conduit in fluidcommunication with a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and anevaporator core having a plurality of layers disposed in the air flowconduit, wherein at least one of the layers is configured to receive afirst fluid from a first fluid source therein, and at least another oneof the layers is configured to receive a second fluid from a secondfluid source and a third fluid from a third fluid source, wherein thefirst fluid and the second fluid are different fluid types, and whereinthe second fluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of air through theair flow conduit and the third fluid releases thermal energy to the flowof air through the air flow conduit.
 14. The HVAC system of claim 13,wherein the at least another one of the layers of the evaporator coreconfigured to receive the second fluid and the third fluid therein isdisposed downstream from the at least one layer of the evaporator coreconfigured to receive the first fluid therein.
 15. The HVAC system ofclaim 13, wherein the at least another one of the layers of theevaporator core configured to receive the second fluid and the thirdfluid therein is disposed between a plurality of the layers of theevaporator core configured to receive the first fluid therein.
 16. TheHVAC system of claim 13, wherein the least another one of the layers ofthe evaporator core configured to receive the second fluid and the thirdfluid therein is disposed downstream of and spaced apart from the atleast one layer of the evaporator core configured to receive the firstfluid therein.
 17. A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)system of a vehicle, comprising: a control module including a housinghaving an air flow conduit formed therein; an evaporator core disposedin the air flow conduit, the evaporator core configured to receive afirst fluid from a first fluid source therein; a thermal energyexchanger disposed in the air flow conduit, the thermal energy exchangerconfigured to receive a second fluid from a second fluid source and athird fluid from a third fluid source therein, wherein the first fluidand the second fluid are different fluid types, and wherein the secondfluid absorbs thermal energy from a flow of air through the air flowconduit and the third fluid releases thermal energy to the flow of airthrough the air flow conduit; and a condenser disposed in the air flowconduit downstream of the thermal energy exchanger, wherein thecondenser is configured to receive a working fluid from a heat pumpsystem of the vehicle.
 18. The HVAC system of claim 17, furthercomprising an external thermal energy exchanger configured to receive atleast one of a fourth fluid from a fourth fluid source and the workingfluid from the heat pump system of the vehicle.
 19. The HVAC system ofclaim 18, wherein the thermal energy exchanger is in fluid communicationwith at least one of the external thermal energy exchanger and thefourth fluid source.
 20. The HVAC system of claim 18, wherein theexternal thermal energy exchanger is a chiller of the heat pump systemof the vehicle.